Ranking Oregon's Biggest Needs in the Transfer Portal

The Ducks have been active in the transfer portal under Dan Lanning. That won't change this offseason.

The transfer portal is open and we've already seen some Oregon players enter this week.

But you can expect Dan Lanning and the Ducks will be busy looking for top talent that they can bring in to bolster the roster for next season, with veterans set to depart at a variety of positions. 

Today, I'm ranking Oregon's biggest positions of need in the transfer portal, while also taking into account the 2024 high school recruiting class.

6. Cornerback

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

Cornerback was a position that was pretty banged up to end the year for the Ducks. Jahlil Florence missed each of the last two games and Khyree Jackson was in and out. 

With Jackson exhausting his eligibility, Florence would be the next CB1 of the players on the roster. Nikko Reed and Dontae Manning will likely be in the rotation again, but the latter hasn't quite hasn't lived up to his billing as a former 5-star recruit. 

I could see the argument for ranking this higher, but I think the staff views Sione Laulea, a top JUCO player nationally, as a plug-and-play option. I think one of Dakoda Fields and Ify Obidegwu could make the case to be in the rotation as true freshmen. I think the Ducks could bring in one corner to bolster this group.

5. Offensive Line

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

The biggest name to keep an eye on here is center Jackson Powers-Johnson. He's got the draft buzz to make the leap, but I could also see him coming back.

Assuming he heads off the NFL, that means the Ducks will lose their best offensive lineman. A'lique Terry will be without starting right guard Steven Jones in 2024, as he'll exhaust his college eligibility. 

Ajani Cornelius has yet to make his decision, but I think he'll try his hand at the league. That would leave Josh Conerly Jr., Marcus Harper and Iapani Laloulu from this year's rotation. 

Nishad Strother could return next season, but he wasn't in the rotation at all in 2023. The Ducks have good numbers from '23 and '24 recruiting classes, but I'm not sure they'll contribute next year. There's not a massive need here, but I think they'll bring in a few along the O-line.

4. Wide Receiver

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

The Ducks are more than likely going to be without Troy Franklin, who might be the best wideout in program history. 

I think Tez Johnson will return, as could Gary Bryant Jr. and Traeshon Holden, but there's not of production outside of Johnson. The Ducks should pursue a bigger wideout with good hands, speed and big-play ability--the traits that made Franklin so special.

There's some roster spots opening with Kris Hutson and Josh Delgado entering the transfer portal.

3. Interior Defensive Line

The D-line is arguably the group where Oregon will face the most attrition. Brandon Dorlus, Popo Aumavae, Casey Rogers and Taki Taimani were all a big part of this year's defense. None will return in 2024.

The Ducks signed a lot of defensive linemen in the 2023 class, but non contributed significantly along the interior this season. They're poised to sign a lot of high-profile recruits at the position this cycle, but I'm not sure if any will crack the starting lineup.

Oregon is losing a lot of beef and experience in the trenches and they'll need to reload this offseason.

2. Safety

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

The Ducks are set to lose three safeties with the departures of Evan Williams, Steve Stephens IV and Bryan Addison. 

That group had its moments, but was a significant weakness in the Pac-12 championship game. Tysheem Johnson has one more year of eligibility should he chose to return, but the Ducks are thin behind him. True freshmen Tyler Turner and Kodi DeCambra will both utilize redshirts. 

Forney (Tex.) safety Aaron Flowers will arrive in Eugene with a shot at early snaps, but this is clearly a spot the Ducks will need some more help at.

1. Quarterback

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

Quarterback is the clear No. 1 need for Oregon with Bo Nix heading to the NFL after the Fiesta Bowl against Liberty. Even with Ty Thompson on the roster, the Ducks have virtually no experience behind him in that room. 

Oregon proved in 2023 that they're a team that's capable of making the playoff every year, especially with the new 12-team format. The margin for error is incredibly slim and the Ducks are in win-now mode. 

I expect them to pursue a plug-and-play option that already has a lot of experience and production at the college level.

Walter Nolen Visiting Oregon This Weekend

Potential Targets for Oregon in the Transfer Portal

Oregon WR Commit Dillon Gresham Visiting Arizona