We’re taking a look at each position group as Oregon prepares to open spring practice on March 16. The first of a 10-part series looks at the tight ends.
Oregon’s tight end room entering spring practice is considerably different than last season.
The transfers of Cam McCormick, Moliki Matavao and Terrell Tilmon leave the Ducks with Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert returning and freshman Kenyon Sadiq joining them.
Add to the personnel turnover the change to Will Stein’s offense and the Ducks will have a different look at the position and opportunities should be abundant.
Projected depth chart:
Terrance Ferguson, junior, 32 catches for 391 yards and five touchdowns
Patrick Herbert, fifth-year redshirt-junior, six catches for 95 yards and a touchdown
Kenyon Sadiq, freshman
Departed: Cam McCormick (transferred to Miami), Moliki Matavao (transferred to UCLA), Terrell Tilmon (transferred to Texas Tech)
Due to arrive in the fall: n/a
Outlook: A position that was limited by injuries in 2019, 2020 and somewhat in 2021, was at relative full health during the 2022 season.
Ferguson’s production more than doubled from his freshman to sophomore years and he should be in line for an even bigger junior campaign. Where he needs to improve is as an end of line blocker, especially with McCormick and Matavao gone. Ferguson’s perimeter blocking improved a lot last season and if he stays on that trajectory, combined with more catches and yards, he’ll be one of the top tight ends in the conference next season.
Herbert had a specialized role as the H-back in UO’s “14 Josh” personnel group last season and he did it well. By default the fifth-year junior appears to be set to see more opportunities in the passing game and be Oregon’s best end of line blocking tight end.
Sadiq is one of Oregon’s top recruits in the class of 2023 and his arrival in the winter is especially critical in light of the departures from the room. Sadiq has a chance to show he can make an immediate impact, at least in the receiving game, as his listed 220 pounds will need to increase significantly before the fall in order to line up inside the box frequently against bigger defensive players.
What the trio does in the spring will impact whether and how aggressively Oregon will need to pursue an additional tight end via the transfer portal in May.
