Ashton Porter status update: Dan Lanning reveals why Oregon LB is away from team

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning was asked Wednesday if redshirt freshman linebacker Ashton Porter will be returning to the program.

“Yeah, he will be,” Lanning said. “[He’s] dealing with family stuff right now.”

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Porter has taken time away from the program in September, following the passing of his mother, as reported by The Oregonian/Oregon Live.

Porter hasn’t recorded a snap this season after scattering 18 defensive snaps across four games last season, including four in the Fiesta Bowl. He made his first career tackle in his collegiate debut against FCS Portland State, but that’s the only stop he made during his true freshman campaign.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Porter hails from Cypress, Texas, where he emerged as a four-star recruit at Cypress Ranch High School. He became the No. 231 overall prospect, including the No. 28 defensive lineman, in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

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Porter put up monster stats as a senior, earning District 16-6A defensive MVP honors: He mounted 63 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, a pick-six, a fumble recovery and a pass deflection.

Although Porter arrived at Oregon as an EDGE prospect, he mostly played as a standup outside linebacker last season.

Dan Lanning shares latest on OL Matthew Bedford, WR Gary Bryant Jr.

Lanning provided updates on senior offensive lineman Matthew Bedford and junior wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr., too.

Bedford made his Oregon debut last week in Corvallis, getting his first taste of action in the final stages of a 49-14 win over Oregon State. He started 39 of the 41 games he appeared in at Indiana before transferring to Oregon this offseason. A knee injury, however, sidelined Bedford in training camp and forced him to miss the first two games of the season.

Lanning was asked if Bedford is ready to be in the Ducks’ offensive line rotation.

“Yeah, I think this week, and next week will be a great opportunity for us to see that,” Lanning said Wednesday.

Oregon appeared to right the ship last week at Oregon State, piling up 546 total yards, including 240 on the ground. The Ducks went from rushing for 2.9 yards per carry in Week 1 and 3.0 yards per carry in Week 2 to 7.5 yards per carry in Week 3. Plus, after allowing a whopping seven sacks over the first two games, they didn’t give up a sack in the victory against the Beavers.

Now, the Oregon O-Line could be getting a boost soon from Bedford, a seasoned veteran with significant Big Ten experience.

Lanning also shared the latest on Bryant, who was listed as questionable the first three weeks of the season but has yet to play in a game.

“Yeah, continuing to assess it,” Lanning said. “When he’s back and ready, we’ll be able to use him.”

Bryant made 10 starts last season. He recorded 30 receptions for 442 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

The Ducks are off this week but will resume the 2024 season in Week 5 when they play at UCLA on Sept. 28.