The Oregonian/OregonLive will be previewing each of 10 position groups leading up to the start of Oregon’s fall camp on Aug. 2. The third installment in the series reviews the tight ends.
Oregon’s tight end room is reloading personnel and enters this season with only one proven option.
Terrance Ferguson had 32 receptions for 391 yards and five touchdowns last season, second to only Troy Franklin in receiving scores. He could be called upon even more this fall, not only because he proved capable and is a matchup advantage against most teams, but because the depth at the position took a hit this offseason.
The departures of Moliki Matavao and Cam McCormick left the Ducks scrambling to add Chase Kelly after spring practice and freshman Kenyon Sadiq will likely get significant playing time.
Returning starters: Terrance Ferguson, junior
Other returning players: Patrick Herbert, fifth-year redshirt-junior; Kenyon Sadiq, freshman
Departed: Cam McCormick (transferred to Miami); Moliki Matavao (transferred to UCLA); Terrell Tilmon (transferred to Texas Tech)
Summer arrivals: Chase Kelly, fifth-year redshirt-junior; Kaden Ludwick, redshirt-freshman (walk-on)
Outlook: Ferguson had a breakout season, which was not totally unexpected, and enters his junior year with a chance to have an even bigger role.
Offensive coordinator Will Stein calls upon tight ends to contribute in the passing game and Ferguson will be the most talented player at the position he’s had a chance to utilize. Plus of Oregon’s returning players, Ferguson and Franklin are the top two targets for Bo Nix.
Things get murky after Ferguson though. Patrick Herbert had a defined role last season, his first at full health, and could see great opportunities with less proven competition for reps.
However, Kelly was productive in 2021 at Ole Miss and should at least contend for the backup spot.
Sadiq is a raw talent and his athleticism is obvious. His drops in the spring game can’t be completely overlooked, but it’s not something to make a huge issue of either.
Battle to Watch: The backup and No. 3 spots on the depth chart will be up for grabs.
Keep an Eye on: Ferguson. His production could shoot up and it wouldn’t be out of the question for him to top 500 yards, which hasn’t been done by an Oregon tight end since Ed Dickson in 2009.
Projected two deep:
Terrance Ferguson: 6-foot-5, 255 pounds
Patrick Herbert: 6-foot-5, 251 pounds
