With Oregon headed into its first Big Ten test of 2026, the Ducks may need to lean on a familiar next-man-up story at tight end.
Freshman Kendre Harrison and senior Jamari Johnson are both listed as questionable for No. 20 Oregon’s matchup with undefeated No.
12 USC on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the LA Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Both are dealing with undisclosed injuries, though Dan Lanning said earlier in the week that he expects them to be available.
If either one can’t go, redshirt freshman Andrew Olesh is ready for another turn in the spotlight. The Penn State transfer has already made two starts this season in Johnson’s absence and has handled the jump in responsibility with noticeable growth.
Lanning pointed to Olesh’s progress as a blocker during Wednesday’s media availability in Eugene, Oregon.
“He's growing in that category. I don't know if that's where he wants to go.
It's not the final product yet, and that's the great thing about young players. They're going to continue to improve and get better.”
Olesh, a 6-5, 235-pound former four-star recruit in the 2025 class, is still building out the rest of his game as a receiver. Through two games for Oregon this season, he has 32 receiving yards and one touchdown on three catches.
“He shows a willingness," Lanning continued on former four-star recruit Olesh out of the 2025 class. "It's a matter of continuing to get the technique and continue to utilize the weight room to get stronger and build himself into a really good player.”
Dante Moore has seen the work up close, and the quarterback said Olesh has already made himself valuable in more ways than one. Moore praised both his play and the way he has fit into the program.
"Andrew, he’s a great man," Moore said. "Off the field, very respectful and very dedicated to his craft as a player on the field.
Very good with contested catches, you know, good route runner. He's been improving every single day."
Olesh spent his true freshman season at Penn State without appearing in a game, preserving his redshirt. Now at Oregon, the Central Valley, Pennsylvania, native has tried to absorb everything around him.
Moore said Olesh has been taking in coaching from several voices around the program and staying in constant communication.
"He's been listening to J.J. (Jamari Johnson), coach (Drew) Merringer, coach Jack (Smith), everybody that's been coaching him.
He's very coachable. He's someone who is just always communicating with me, texting me, showing me plays on film.
He's just someone that's really, that really loves the game. And you've got to love that as a quarterback.”
Whether Olesh gets another chance to step in will become clear at 4:30 p.m. PT on NBC. Oregon has won eight of its last 10 meetings with USC.
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