Terrance Ferguson Talks Expectations, Dillon Gabriel

Shortly after Big Ten Conference Media Days in Indianapolis, Oregon Football held their own annual media day on Tuesday.

Among the players to field media questions was tight end Terrance Ferguson who elected to return for his senior season along with many others who saw the potential the Ducks have in 2024.

Below are some of his best answers and my thoughts on their implications.

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On what would make the 2024 season a success:

“I think success is really in the team. For us winning a national championship is a big goal.”

On what his offseason has looked like, aside from getting engaged:

“I think we’ve had a really great offseason as a team. Everyone’s gone a little harder, the details have been bigger issues that we’ve attacked. I think this team does a great job of competing.”

On what the retreats with Dillon Gabriel have been like:

“Those have been huge I think just for the connection aspect. You don’t see that a lot from people like that, he’s just a great guy. He made sure that he took care of everybody and I think that’s really big for us.”

Seems to me like Gabriel has done a really good job of integrating himself with the locker room and the organization at large.

Bo Nix was always known as a great team player but in a perhaps more football-related manner.

It’s great to hear that Gabriel is going above and beyond to connect with his guys.

On how 2024 feels different from 2023:

“We have a lot of veteran guys and I think everyone’s put their nose down and worked … so I think everyone’s done a great job of attacking the offseason and we have all the talent in the world.”

On managing expectations:

“For us it’s really (about) keeping it inside the building. We have our own expectations and those are high as well because we know how talented we are and good this team can be.”

On his relationship with tight end Patrick Herbert:

“Me and him have been through a lot of stuff together so he’s like a big brother to me. He does a lot of things really well that people probably don’t give him enough credit for. I’ve never met someone who puts the team first like he does.”

On how the decision to return for 2024 came about:

“It was kind of individually but we all talk. When everyone puts their agenda aside to do something great as a team, you want to be a part of that. Once one person does it, it just kind of snowballs.”

On coach Dan Lanning‘s improvements entering year three at Oregon:

“He’s better at everything. He’s done an amazing job for the team and taking care of us.”

It would be hard for Ferguson to really give a detailed answer on specific areas of improvement but it sounds like he’s happy with how he and the team are being coached and treated.

On the benefits of Oregon’s ‘Get Real’ conversations:

“They’re huge. Once you know someone for their why or what their makeup is outside of football you play for that person a different way.”

The connection piece has been a hallmark trait of Dan Lanning’s time in Eugene and players consistently sing its praises.

I think what Ferguson says about playing for teammates in a different way really holds true.

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Being a team oriented player is essential for a tight end and Terrance Ferguson exudes this mentality. Coming off of an excellent 2023 season it will be exciting to see what he accomplishes this year.