Oregon running back reverses course on transfer portal entry

Oregon running back Seven McGee intended to enter the transfer portal Monday night. But he didn’t end up doing so.

McGee, a freshman this season, announced he was going to the portal on Monday, the same day Lanning was announced as Oregon’s next coach. Just two hours later, he announced he changed his mind — and Lanning was one of the reasons why he didn’t.

“After talking with @CoachDanLanning and @CoachDonJ [Don Johnson] I have decided not to enter the portal,” McGee tweeted Monday night.

McGee appeared in 12 games this season, totaling 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also had six receptions for 78 yards in the air.

McGee came to Eugene as a four-star recruit out of East High School in California. He was the No. 16 recruit in California and the No. 11 running back recruit in the country from the Class of 2021, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Oregon hired Lanning to replace Mario Cristobal, who left the Ducks to become the head coach at Miami, his alma mater. Lanning currently serves as Georgia’s defensive coordinator and will remain in the role through the College Football Playoff.

The Ducks are getting ready to play in the Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma on Dec. 29.

Oregon officially announces Dan Lanning as new head coach

The speculation ended this week as Oregon made things official with new head coach Dan Lanning.

The move had been rumored in recent days, as Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Friday that Lanning would be heading to Eugene. On Saturday, several sources, including On3’s Matt Zenitz, confirmed the news.

Oregon will formally introduce Lanning at a press conference at 2:00 p.m. PT on Monday. However, Lanning will remain coaching the Bulldogs for the College Football Playoff before permanently heading out West.

In the university’s announcement, Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens touted his new coach.

“Dan is an outstanding, high-energy football coach who will provide a world-class experience for our football student-athletes,” Mullens said. “He is a tremendous recruiter and developer of talent, and we will continue to compete for championships while providing an environment where our football student-athletes can develop to their fullest potential in the classroom, on the football field, and as people.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to have Dan as the leader of our football program, and we look forward to the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes. We are excited to welcome Dan, Sauphia, Caden, Kniles, and Titan to the Oregon family!”