The Oregon Ducks’ tight end room is going through a major transformation, and not just because of who’s coming in-but also who’s heading out.
With Jamari Johnson returning, 2025 five-star Andrew Olesh transferring in from Penn State, and 2026 five-star Kendre Harrison soon arriving, Oregon is stacking elite talent at the tight end position. That kind of depth is a dream for coaches-but for players further down the depth chart, it often means a change of scenery is the best path forward. One of those players is Roger Saleapaga, who officially announced Friday night that he’s transferring to BYU.
Saleapaga, a former three-star recruit and the No. 32 tight end in the 2024 class (per 247Sports), came out of Orem High School in Utah with plenty of promise. He didn’t waste any time getting on the field either-appearing in 11 games as a true freshman before a season-ending injury cut things short.
At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, Saleapaga brought a physical presence to the Ducks’ offense. In 2025, he slotted in as the TE3 behind Kenyon Sadiq and Johnson.
His stat line was modest-three catches for 26 yards and a touchdown-but that lone score came on a big stage: late in Oregon’s College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup against top-ranked Indiana. It was a 56-22 loss, but for Saleapaga, it was a moment that showed his potential to contribute in high-pressure situations.
Now, he gets a fresh start with BYU-a program that’s been knocking on the door of national relevance. The Cougars came within striking distance of their first-ever College Football Playoff berth last season, finishing 12-2 and reaching the Big 12 title game. Adding a player like Saleapaga gives them more size, experience, and upside at a position that’s critical in their offensive system.
He arrives in Provo with two seasons of eligibility remaining and a redshirt still available, giving BYU flexibility in how they integrate him into the rotation. Whether he becomes an immediate contributor or takes time to develop into a larger role, the Cougars are getting a player who’s already seen the spotlight and knows what it takes to compete at the highest level.
For Oregon, this is the natural byproduct of a loaded position group. When you’ve got multiple five-stars and proven playmakers in the room, there’s only so much playing time to go around. For Saleapaga, the move to BYU is a chance to carve out a bigger role and help a rising program take that next step.