Dan Lanning says Oregon will utilize transfer portal, but won't "make our living there"

If you’re hoping for Dan Lanning to quickly rebuild Oregon’s roster by way of the transfer portal, well, don’t expect an immediate overhaul.

Oregon’s newly hired head coach met with reporters via Zoom Thursday and fielded questions about the Ducks’ 2022 class and a few other topics. When asked how significant the portal will be as Oregon continues to fill out its signing class, he gave an insightful answer.

“When it fits, we want to be able to use it,” Lanning said of the portal. “We’re not gonna make our living there. It’s not gonna be the only place we regroup. The two things I’m looking for when I’m hiring these coaches moving forward are relationships and development.”

Lanning noted that plenty of teams throughout the country have had success using the portal, and he plans for Oregon to use it when it is conducive to success.

But he wants Oregon’s primary method of talent acquisition to be by developing the high school players they sign.

“When you talk about development, you’re not signing finished products. You have to take players to where you think they can be when it’s all said and done. That’s gonna be a big part of what we’re doing moving forward — developing young men.”

The Ducks may have needs at a few positions this offseason where the transfer portal could offer an immediate solution. While there is plenty of receiving talent in the fold, they do not currently have a receiver on the roster who has started a full college season.

Devon Williams figured to be that steady, go-to receiver in 2022, but he announced Thursday that he is entering the NFL Draft.

The Ducks may also have a need along the offensive line, depending on which players do or don’t elect to stick around for another year. Lanning did not comment on any of those positions specifically but reiterated that while the transfer portal won’t be Oregon’s go-to avenue for adding players, it will certainly be utilized by the Ducks when needed.

“Will we end up looking to the portal for some answers? Absolutely,” Lanning said. “I think I owe it to the university and our program to do that.

“But it won’t be the only place that we shop.”

Quarterback, receiver depth

Lanning was asked specifically how many quarterbacks and receivers he would like to carry next season, as the Ducks have a bit of flexibility at both spots.

Oregon is set to enter next season with just three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster: Robby Ashford, Jay Butterfield, and Ty Thompson will all be sophomores.

“We’re gonna make it fit for what we have,” Lanning said of the quarterback position. “I’ve had it in the past where we’ve carried anywhere from four to five quarterbacks on scholarship, and even some programs where it’s been higher than that.

“Not every one of them can be on the field at the same time, so it’s generally a spot that’s overstaffed. … But the optimal number can be fluid as well.”

With the departure of Williams to the NFL Draft, the Ducks will also be short on experience at receiver.

Lanning said the number of receivers the Ducks carry could be based on personnel, and could also be fluid.

“I think what we did at Georgia this year is a great example of that,” Lanning said. “We got banged up at wideout this past year where we weren’t able to play many wide receivers, but we were able to play a lot of 13 personnel.

“If you look at our tight end room right now at Oregon, there’s some really good tight ends who can line up and split out. So we have the ability to use that.”