Oregon spring football preview: Tight end

Oregon is set to open spring practices on March 10. There is plenty of excitement surrounding Dan Lanning’s program, and there is no shortage of storylines related to the Ducks’ roster. In the coming days, ScoopDuck will have you covered with position-by-position previews that highlight a key returner, key newcomer, and a breakout candidate at each spot.

Next up: the tight ends

Previously:

• Quarterbacks
• Running backs
• Wide receivers

Oregon’s tight end room is a loaded group with a ton of different skill-sets and body types. This room didn’t have the most productive season in 2021, and also does not currently have any new players set to come in. But with another year of experience under everyone’s belt, they have the potential to take a massive leap forward in the upcoming season. 

Scholarship players

• Terrance Ferguson (Soph.)
• Patrick Herbert (R-Soph.)
• Moliki Matavao (Soph.)
• Cam Mccormick (R-Sr.)
• DJ Johnson (Senior)
• Spencer Webb (R-Jr.)

Key returners

Terrance Ferguson

Ferguson led the tight end room last year in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. He ended the season with 17 catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns. While those certainly aren’t eye-popping statistics, the tight-ends really struggled in the production department as an entire unit.

Ferguson quickly rose up through the depth chart heading into the start of last season, and as the season progressed he saw his snap count continue to increase. Now heading into his second season, Ferguson figures to be an instrumental piece for the offense. 

With Dan Lanning at the helm and Kenny Dillingham calling the offense, it’s too early to know what they’re looking for out of the tight-ends. But one thing is for certain, Ferguson proved that he has the talent to be a focal point of this offense in the upcoming season. 

Breakout candidate

Moliki Matavao 

Oregon’s other dynamic freshman saw playing time in nine games and ended the year with nine catches for 75 yards and one touchdown. While he didn’t see the field quite as much as Ferguson did, the true freshman was able to prove his worth from the get-go.

Matavao offers versatility at the position with his bigger frame that helps him be a potential star as a blocker in the running and passing game. But he’s not just a blocking tight end as his athleticism was on display a handful of times last year in the passing game.

Matavao is a perfect breakout candidate for this tight end group as he should see plenty of playing time as a blocker and receiver next season. 

Patrick Herbert

It’s year three now for Herbert and while he hasn’t had the start to his career he may have hoped, it’s been an uphill battle for him. As a freshman he was buried on the depth chart and heading into last year he appeared to be a breakout candidate before suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for the entire season. 

Standing at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds Herbert has the perfect height and weight combo to be a classic in-line tight end. When you turn on his high school tape he shows that he can be a great all-around tight end that contributes in the passing game but can also be a real force in the blocking game.

Herbert is a true wild-card in this group heading into spring football, but after not being able to watch him play at all last season he’ll be a player that everyone has their eyes on in the spring. If he’s able to bounce back from injury and retain his athleticism, he could be a player to watch out for in 2022.