Oregon’s Tight End Room Is Shifting - And Jamari Johnson Is at the Center of It
It’s been a whirlwind in Eugene since Oregon’s College Football Playoff exit - a five-day stretch that’s brought a mix of retention, departures, and new arrivals. As the dust settles, one position group in particular is starting to take shape: tight end. And if early signs are any indication, the Ducks might be reloading with serious firepower.
Let’s break down where things stand, who’s in, who’s out, and why this group could be one of the more dynamic tight end rooms Oregon’s had in recent memory.
The Headliner: Jamari Johnson Returns
The biggest development? Jamari Johnson is back. And that’s massive.
The rising junior was nothing short of a weapon in the back half of the 2025 season. Over Oregon’s final nine games, Johnson was one of the most productive pass-catchers on the roster - trailing only Malik Benson in receiving yards, and even then by just seven yards. He outpaced fellow tight end Kenyon Sadiq by 121 yards during that same stretch, despite Sadiq missing only one game.
At 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, Johnson isn’t just a big body - he’s a matchup nightmare. He led the team in yards after the catch (291), showing off the kind of open-field agility and physicality that’s rare for someone his size. He’s not just a chain-mover; he’s a game-breaker.
Pro Football Focus backed up the eye test, grading Johnson significantly higher than Sadiq in pass-catching metrics across the board. That’s no small feat considering Sadiq is now off to the NFL with first-round buzz.
And here’s the kicker: Oregon’s tight ends coach - who’s expected to take over play-calling duties - believes Johnson could be the best in the country next season. That’s not coach-speak. That’s someone who sees him every day in practice and knows what kind of weapon he’s becoming.
New Faces: Olesh and Harrison Bring Star Power
The Ducks didn’t just retain talent - they added some, too.
Oregon landed a big-time transfer in Andrew Olesh, a former top-50 national recruit who started his college career at Penn State. The Ducks were in the mix for Olesh during the 2025 recruiting cycle but came up short. Now, they get a second chance - and this time, they closed the deal.
Olesh, listed at 6-foot-5 and 236 pounds as a true freshman, still has some physical development ahead of him. But from a talent standpoint, this is a high-upside addition. He’s a natural pass-catcher who could become a real contributor once he settles into the program.
Then there’s Kendre Harrison. The 5-star signee is already on campus and practiced with the team ahead of the CFP semifinal.
That’s a head start most freshmen don’t get. Harrison was one of the top tight end recruits in the country, and his arrival adds even more explosiveness to the room.
Between Johnson, Olesh, and Harrison, Oregon might have its most athletic, pass-game-oriented tight end group in school history.
The Departures: Sadiq to the NFL, Transfers Thin the Depth
Of course, not all the news has been good.
Sadiq is off to the NFL, and while that was expected, it’s still a significant loss. He was a physical marvel and a potential top-10 pick who gave Oregon a vertical threat from the tight end spot that few programs could match.
But the real hit to the room came from the transfer portal. Oregon lost five tight ends: sophomores Roger Saleapaga, Zach Grace, and Kate Caton, plus freshman Vander Ploog - all out the door.
Saleapaga was the most notable of the group, finishing 2025 as the team’s No. 3 tight end and even scoring Oregon’s final touchdown of the season in the Peach Bowl. Grace, while not a starter at tight end, had carved out a role as the team’s top fullback over the past two years. That’s a specialized skill set that doesn’t show up in the box score but matters in the trenches.
Caton and Ploog saw limited action - just 14 snaps combined - but their departures still chip away at the room’s overall depth.
That leaves Oregon with four scholarship tight ends heading into 2026: Johnson, Olesh, Harrison, and sophomore AJ Pugliano.
What’s Next: Depth, Blocking, and a Potential Addition
On paper, the top three - Johnson, Olesh, and Harrison - give the Ducks a trio of pass-catching threats that could rival any in the country. But there are still a few unanswered questions.
First, run-blocking. Johnson has taken steps forward in that area, but this group as a whole leans heavily toward the receiving side of the spectrum.
Oregon may need to look for a more traditional in-line tight end - someone who can put a hand in the dirt and hold their own in the run game. That kind of addition wouldn’t need to be flashy; it would just need to be functional.
Second, numbers. Four tight ends is a thin group, especially when you factor in the physical demands of the position. Injuries happen, and the Ducks can’t afford to be caught short.
There’s also chatter that Dayton Raiola, brother of quarterback Dylan Raiola, could be transitioning to tight end. That’s not a plug-and-play solution - more of a long-term project. Still, it’s another body in the room, and that matters.
As for Pugliano, he’s still in the mix. Injuries have slowed his development, but if he can stay healthy, he could carve out a role. Whether that happens remains to be seen.
Bottom Line: High Ceiling, Low Floor - For Now
There’s no question Oregon’s tight end room lost some experience and depth. But what it gained in athleticism and upside could more than make up for it - if the pieces come together.
Johnson is already a proven commodity and could be in for a monster 2026 season. Olesh and Harrison bring elite recruiting pedigrees and the kind of pass-catching talent that can stretch defenses. If Oregon can add one more veteran to shore up the blocking and depth, this group could go from promising to dominant.
The Ducks may have lost one star to the NFL, but they might already have another one waiting in the wings - and a couple more coming up right behind him.