Oregon tight end Casey Kelly enters transfer portal
One of Oregon’s reserve tight ends is headed for a departure from the program.
Casey Kelly, a fourth-year junior who joined the Ducks last offseason, told On3 on Thursday that he intends to enter the transfer portal.
In his lone season at Oregon, Kelly caught five passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. He served as the Ducks’ No. 3 tight end behind all-conference junior Terrance Ferguson and fifth-year junior Patrick Herbert.
Kelly played 213 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. That ranked 15th among all Oregon offensive players. By contrast, Ferguson played 655 snaps and Herbert played 460.
Kelly garnered a 59.8 PFF run-blocking grade during the 2023 season. He joined the Ducks last April after beginning his career at Ole Miss.
In addition to Ferguson and Herbert, the Ducks are set to return blue-chip freshman Kenyon Sadiq next season. They have also signed three ’24 prospects Roger Saleapaga and A.J. Pugliano.
More on Oregon’s offseason outlook
Few programs in all of college football experienced a greater amount of transfer portal activity than Oregon did during the 2023 cycle.
A total of 30 Oregon scholarship players entered the portal during the previous two transfer windows — 21 in the winter and nine in the spring. Meanwhile, the Ducks added 14 scholarship players during that same period.
Many of their portal additions — including receiver Tez Johnson, cornerback Khyree Jackson, safety Evan Williams, and right tackle Ajani Cornelius — locked down starting jobs and played key roles during the 2023 season.
This offseason, Oregon will once again look for opportunities to improve its roster by way of the portal.
Top 10
- 1Hot
New CFP Top 25
College Football Playoff rankings revealed
- 2New
Strength of Schedule
CFP Top 25 SOS ranking
- 3Trending
12-Team CFP bracket
Updated College Football Playoff bracket
- 4
Hunter Dickinson ejected
Kansas big man kicks Duke player in head
- 5
Colbie Young status
Kirby Smart reveals latest on Georgia WR
While speaking with reporters during a Fiesta Bowl media availability on Dec. 3, Oregon coach Dan Lanning was asked which players he expects to enter the portal during the offseason.
“There will certainly be some announcements. I think that’s going to exist on every single team,” Lanning said. “I’ve talked to those guys individually. On the same note, that’s their opportunity to be able to announce that. So I think you’ll see some guys that aren’t with us anymore. And they’ve been phenomenal here for the Ducks, and wishing them nothing but the best. But out of respect for them, I’m going to give them the opportunity to make that announcement.”
Track transfer portal activity
While the NCAA transfer portal database is private, the On3 Network has streamlined the reporting process tracking player movement.
If you find yourself asking, ‘How can I track transfer portal activity?’ our well-established network of reporters and contacts across college athletics keeps you up to speed in several ways, from articles written about players as they enter and exit the transfer portal or find their new destination, to our social media channels, to the On3 Transfer Portal.
The transfer portal wire provides a real-time feed of player activity, including basic player profile information, transfer portal ranking and original On3 Industry recruiting ranking, as well as NIL valuation (name, image and likeness).
The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
