Oregon and Dan Lanning Assembling Another Strong Transfer Portal Haul

Oregon has become one of the best when it comes to utilizing the transfer portal. For team that’s now solidified itself as a heavyweight on the recruiting trail with high school talent, the Ducks are just as if not more effective in the transfer portal.

In each of the offseasons that Dan Lanning has been head coach, Oregon has dipped into the transfer portal to acquire top talent and address needs on the roster. If the player doesn’t address a need, they more often than not shore up depth at their position.

As we get into late December with Christmas approaching Lanning and the Ducks look like they’re well on their way to assembling another effective haul in the transfer portal. Let’s recap.

Additions (5):

S Dillon Thieneman (Purdue): Thieneman was On3’s No. 1 safety in the transfer portal. He brings versatility and some high-end production to an Oregon secondary that will be looking for new playmakers following veteran departures. Has two years of eligibility remaining but more than likely heads to the NFL after the 2025 season.

CB Theran Johnson (Northwestern): Johnson was an All-Big Ten selection and gives the Ducks another defensive back who knows the Big Ten and what it takes to win games in the conference. He’s a quick-twitch type of player that excels at making plays on the ball in the air. He should be a plug and play guy. One year of eligibility remaining.

TE Jamari Johnson (Louisville): Oregon finished second for Johnson coming out of high school and it ends up being to their benefit as he heads back West, where he played his high school ball. Johnson has three years left and is a big body that should fill the need for a tight end that can be an inline blocker. At 6’5″, 265 pounds he’s got more athleticism and softer hands than he probably gets credit for.

OT Isaiah World (Nevada): World has one more season of college eligibility and will likely serve as Oregon’s starting left tackle in 2025 assuming Josh Conerly Jr. declares for the NFL Draft. Coming in at a massive 6’8″ and 309 pounds this is a player that you find yourself asking: how did this guy end up at Nevada? Huge get for the Ducks.

OT Alex Harkey (Texas State): Another big get here for the Ducks. Harkey has one year left and he’ll likely spend it as Oregon’s starting right tackle, taking over for the departing Ajani Cornelius. Harkey was one of the bigger names in the portal at tackle and Oregon moved quickly to get him on campus.

Departures (6)

OL JacQawn McRoy (Arkansas): Definitely one that Oregon would’ve loved to hang on to but McRoy didn’t see the field as a true freshman. I don’t think he should be viewed as a major loss.

OLB Jaeden Moore: Moore was a more surprising entry for Oregon, especially with how many snaps he got throughout the year. He really benefited from developing as a true freshman and will likely make an impact wherever he ends up.

OLB Emar’rion Winston: Winston was a key piece of Oregon’s defensive line rotation and like Moore should have an impact wherever he ends up. Winston is likely the biggest loss for the Ducks at this point.

OLB Jaxson Jones (Utah): Jones signed with Oregon in the 2024 class and didn’t see the field as a true freshman. He was battling back from an injury he suffered his senior season.

DB Tyler Turner: Turner spent two seasons at Oregon and took on a larger role in 2024, playing in all 13 games. He was starting to break through a bit in the safety rotation but didn’t have much production to point to.

DB Khamari Terrell: Terrell was the final Matt Powledge recruit remaining from the 2022 recruiting class. Touted for his speed coming out of high school, his role was largely regulated to special teams.