Through three games, Oregon’s transfer haul has been a mixed bag, but a few newcomers have already carved out real roles while others are still waiting for their chance.
The Ducks’ approach this offseason mattered. Instead of leaning hard on the portal, they bet on returning players and younger talent to carry more of the load. That decision has helped explain some of the uneven early results, and it also means the transfers who did arrive are being judged in a pretty specific way: some were brought in for depth, some were expected to push for starting jobs, and a few were supposed to make immediate noise.
At the bottom of the list are the players whose quiet starts fit the job description. Keaton Emmett came in from Western Oregon to challenge for the kicking job, but Gage Hurych won the battle and has been perfect on field goals and extra points, while Rocco Graziano has also handled his kicks.
Emmett sits third on the depth chart, and that hasn’t been a problem. The same goes for defensive tackles Derrick Brown Jr. and Jerome Simmons, who were added to back up Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington.
Oregon simply hasn’t needed much from them yet.
Bleu Dantzler has also been buried behind a crowded edge-rushing group. The Oregon State transfer was brought in as a longer-term piece, and with Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, and Nasir Wyatt rotating in, there hasn’t been much room for him to make an impact.
A few other transfers have been squeezed out by younger players. Simeon Price has not dressed for a game at running back, with Da'Juan Riggs, Brandon Smith, and Tradarian Ball apparently ahead of him.
Markus Dixon arrived from Clemson to help at tight end after Oregon used plenty of two-tight-end looks last season, but Andrew Olesh and Kendre Harrison have both played well enough to limit his role. Aaron Scott Jr., a high-profile cornerback addition from Ohio State, has yet to lock down a spot either, as younger defenders like Na'eem Offord have jumped into starting roles.
The middle of the ranking is where Oregon’s transfer class starts to feel more urgent. Iverson Hooks was expected to be a major part of the passing game and was the only Ducks receiver on the Preseason Biletnikoff Watchlist, but injury has slowed him and freshmen still got on the field before he did in the Portland State game.
With Jeremiah McClellan also dealing with injury, Oregon needs Hooks to become a real weapon. Michael Bennett, the Yale transfer on the offensive line, started the opener at guard but has already been pushed out of the starting five.
The Ducks brought him in to steady a unit full of turnover, but he’ll need to be much better if injuries force him back into a bigger role.
Carl Williams IV was supposed to help settle the STAR spot after Jadon Canady left for the NFL, but the Baylor transfer has been up and down and also missed time after an injury against Oklahoma State. He’s set to return for the USC game, and Oregon needs more from him.
Koi Perich came in with a big reputation after the Ducks spent heavily on Dillon Thieneman last year and got strong results, but the Minnesota safety has not yet looked like the elite-level playmaker many expected. Oregon may still need him to take another step, especially with Kingston Lopa already piling up five interceptions in three games after leaving this offseason.
There are also a few transfers who have delivered exactly what Oregon wanted. Punter Bailey Ettridge has been steady, putting five of his nine punts inside the 20 and averaging 48.6 yards per punt.
Long snapper RJ Todd has kept special teams clean, with no issues in the operation. That matters more than it sounds.
Andrew Olesh has become important at tight end, especially with Jamari Johnson out the last two games. He has started both of those games and, while he hasn’t matched the production of freshman Kendre Harrison, the staff clearly trusts him in protection and as a receiver.
Dylan Raiola has been even better. The Nebraska transfer gave Oregon a huge early boost against Portland State, going 11-of-11 for 124 yards and 3 touchdowns.
That’s exactly the kind of backup performance a staff hopes for when it takes a swing on a quarterback.
At No. 1, though, is D'Antre Robinson. The defensive tackle has not logged a huge workload, but when he has been on the field, he’s made it count.
He’s created pressure and even helped force the play that led to Devon Jackson’s pick six. For Oregon, that’s the kind of instant impact that stands out in a class that has otherwise been uneven.
In Other News...
Oregon Just Lost A Receiver Its Passing Game Really Needed
Jeremiah McClellans foot injury landed at an especially awkward moment for Oregon, which had been counting on its starting wide receiver to help stabilize the passing game. The setback happened during warmups before the game against Portland State, and head coach Dan Lanning later confirmed McClellan broke his foot and will be out indefinitely. For a Ducks offense still trying to find its rhythm, losing a key perimeter target this early changes the picture quickly.
Oregon has already started leaning on other options to absorb the extra workload, with Messiah Hampton and Iverson Hooks among the receivers getting chances to step up. That creates an immediate test for the depth of the room and for how well the Ducks can keep the passing game on schedule without one of its more important pieces. How quickly the new rotation settles in may end up shaping the next stretch of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Lanning Had A Strong Answer For Oregon Blowout Critics
Dan Lanning spent part of this week trying to put Oregons lopsided win over Portland State in context, and his explanation was straightforward: the Ducks were willing to shorten the second half to 10-minute quarters, but Portland State declined. Once the game continued, Oregon kept its starters out after halftime and turned the rest of the afternoon over to backup players, giving them a chance to get meaningful game experience in a game that was never in doubt.
There was still a human side to the blowout beyond the score itself. For some Ducks, including Akili Smith Jr. and Brady Bidwell, the matchup carried personal moments that mattered inside a game otherwise defined by the criticism around the margin. That is the part Lanning seemed intent on emphasizing, even as the outside conversation kept circling back to how much running up the score really happened. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon's USC Test Suddenly Comes Down To One Injury Question
Oregon heads into its matchup with USC with a clearer picture of the injury report than it had earlier in the week, and the updates from Dan Lanning mostly point in a positive direction. Jamari Johnson and Kendre Harrison are trending toward playing, while Carl Williams IV is expected back in the secondary, giving the Ducks some needed stability as they prepare for one of the biggest games on the schedule.
The one major exception is Jeremiah McClellan, who will be out for an extended stretch after breaking his foot during warmups. Jalen Lott has also returned to practice, which gives Oregon one more name to monitor as game day approaches, but his availability remains uncertain for now. For a team trying to keep its focus on USC, the health of that group could matter just as much as the matchup itself. [Read more 🡒]