Oregon is moving pieces around in order to fill the void at tight end with Terrance Ferguson out for the remainder of spring practice.
The Ducks used offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. as a blocking tight end in their short-yardage jumbo personnel package last season and he caught a touchdown at Colorado. Oregon coach Dan Lanning said the sophomore is among “a few people” getting some reps at tight end along with multiple defensive players.
“Matayo (Uiagalelei) is a guy that’s had history (at tight end),” Lanning said. “(Jake) Shipley, is a little dinged up right now, but he’s a guy that’s been able to flip over to the other side. We’ve also got guys like Conerly lined up at tight end last year in a game. I think we’ve got a lot of guys that have some versatility there. But certainly a position that we have a need for and have our eyes open for.”
Uiagalelei had seven catches for 86 yards and four touchdowns as a senior at St. John Bosco (Calif.) High School and 24 catches for 335 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. Shipley, who missed Tuesday’s practice due to injury, had 12 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns as a senior in high school.
UO edge defender Anthony Jones also played tight end in high school, with 241 yards on 16 catches with six touchdowns as a senior.
Oregon’s only healthy scholarship tight ends are Patrick Herbert and Kenyon Sadiq, with walk-ons Peter Burke, Landen Shepard and Travis Brashear also on the roster this spring.
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The Ducks are looking to add a player via the transfer portal and are among the teams to offer North Texas transfer Var’Keyes Gumms.
“I don’t think that we’re going to ever say OK, we’re going to be a two tight end operation,” tight ends coach Drew Mehringer said. “That’s not who we’re ever going to be in terms of guys that are out there that are available to play. I think we’re always going to try and have a lot more guys than that.”
