Updated list of 2024 transfer portal targets for Oregon Duck fans to know
The 2024 college football regular season is now behind us, so let the craziness begin.
On Monday morning, the first window of the transfer portal officially opened, giving athletes across the nation an opportunity to look for a new team, and a more advantageous situation for their development and outlook going forward. Whether it’s in search of more playing time, a better NIL deal, or just an opportunity in a new location, hundreds of players will enter the portal over the next month and become available.
While several players will likely leave Eugene in search of a new home, Oregon fans can feel confident that Dan Lanning and the coaching staff will be ultra-aggressive in pursuing top talent that can come in and improve the team right away. Over the past two years, Lanning has landed players like Bo Nix, Bucky Irving, Tez Johnson, Christian Gonzalez, Jordan Burch, Khyree Jackson, and many, many more impactful transfers.
It’s fair to say that they’re pretty good at the whole transfer portal game.
So who might they be targeting this season? Take a look at this updated list of potential players to know:
The following list is continually being updated, with the newest entries at the top.
Texas A&M DL Walter Nolen
Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 37 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4 sacks
Career Stats: 22 Games | 66 tackles, 11 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 FF
Former Recruiting Profile: 5-star (No. 1 in 2022 class)
Analysis: Walter Nolen is undoubtedly one of the top players on my board if I’m an Oregon Duck. The former No. 1 overall player in the 2022 class is an elite defensive lineman who has had some really solid production at Texas A&M. He has a previous relationship with Dan Lanning from his recruitment at Georgia, whom he had among his top three schools before committing to the Aggies. Don’t be surprised to hear some smoke from this, I expect the Ducks to be aggressive to add a blue-chip piece to their defensive line.
Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 3,660 yards, 42 total TDs, 6 INT
Career Stats: 50 Games | 14,865 yards, 152 total TDs, 26 INT
Former Recruiting Profile: 3-star (No. 754 in 2019 Class)
Analysis: Dillon Gabriel is one of the newest additions to the transfer portal, and he should be at the top of the Ducks’ board as a veteran quarterback who can be a plug-and-play instant difference-maker. As a Hawaiian-born player who grew up idolizing Marcus Mariota, the fit in Eugene makes sense. Keep a close eye on this one.
Washington State QB Cam Ward
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 3,736 yards, 32 total TD, 7 INT
Career Stats: 25 Games | 6,968 yards, 61 total TD, 16 INT
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 3 in the Nation)
Analysis: If you are looking at available QBs in the transfer portal, then Cameron Ward is among the top available and someone who the Ducks certainly like. While he may be the top available player at the position, the portal just opened on Monday, so expect others to enter soon as well that could jump onto the Ducks’ radar.
Washington State WR Josh Kelly
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 61 catches, 923 yards, 8 TD
Career Stats: 38 Games | 148 catches, 2,228 yards, 12 TD
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 16 in 2024)
Analysis: If you’re looking for veteran receivers who can hit the ground running and provide an impact early on, then Josh Kelly might be someone who you want to target. He has a lot of experience with one year of eligibility remaining and could be a great addition for whoever gets him.
Kansas State RB Treshaun Ward
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 11 Games | 124 rushes, 643 yards, 5 TD
Career Stats: 37 Games | 312 carries, 1,884 yards, 17 TD
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 3-star (No. 29 in 2024)
Analysis: The Ducks will likely try and add an experienced running back to the group in order to help bolster the backfield in the case that Noah Whittington is not fully healthy once that 2024 season starts. Ward fits that billing, having one year of eligibility remaining and some solid production at both Kansas State and Florida State in his career.
Texas Tech WR Jerand Bradley
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 36 catches, 431 yards, 4 TD
Career Stats: 28 Games | 92 catches, 1,274 yards, 10 TD
Former Recruiting Profile: 3-star (No. 420 in 2021 Class)
Analysis: The Ducks saw first-hand how dynamic Bradley can be in Week 2 when the Red Raider hauled in 5 catches for 83 yards and a TD. Bradley has a 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame and could be a great addition to any team that he ends up with.
UCLA QB Dante Moore
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 9 Games | 1.610 yards, 11 TD, 9 INT
Former Recruiting Profile: 5-star (No. 3 in 2023 Class)
Analysis: There are some obvious connections here. Moore was previously committed to Oregon for months before flipping to UCLA late in the process. After one year with the Bruins, he is looking for a new spot where he can get developed and grow as a QB. The Ducks are absolutely in the mix to land him and give him a year to grow behind a QB, whether it’s Ty Thompson or an incoming transfer.
Texas A&M WR Raymond Cottrell
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
2023 Stats: 3 Games | 1 catch, 13 yards
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 9 in 2024)
Analysis: This is a prospect based more on their recruiting profile than recent production, as Cottrell played in only 3 games as a freshman at Texas A&M. Still, he was a highly-rated recruit, and someone who committed to Georgia when Lanning was still at UGA, for whatever it’s worth.
Oregon State QB D.J. Uiagalelei
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 2,638 yards, 21 TD, 7 INT7 total
Career Stats: 47 Games | 8,319 yards, 78 total TD, 24 INT
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 10 in 2024)
Analysis: I don’t think that D.J. Uiagalelei is at the top of the QB board for the Oregon Ducks in this 2024 transfer portal cycle, but I do think they are keeping tabs on him in case some of their other options fall through. Uiagalelei has obvious ties to Oregon, with his brother Matayo already on the team. I would say the odds that they actually go with DJU are pretty low, however.
USC WR Raleek Brown
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 2 Games | 6 touches, 34 yards, 1 TD
Career Stats: 16 Games | 64 touches, 436 yards, 7 TDs
Former Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 42 in 2022 Class)
Analysis: Raleek Brown is someone who Oregon recruited heavily out of high school, and now that he is looking to leave USC, they might try and court him once again. Though he is kind of a hybrid between RB and WR, the Ducks could try and pick him up as an all-purpose back to plug into the offense.
Arizona State DL B.J. Green II
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 39 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 6 sacks
Career Stats: 30 Games | 60 tackles, 21 TFL, 13.5 sacks
Former Recruiting Profile: 3-star (No. 2,089 in 2021 Class)
Analysis: If you’re looking for available defensive linemen, then there are going to be few who are as good if not better than former Arizona State DL B.J. Green, who had a great season this past year under Kenny Dillingham in Tempe. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Ducks reach out and try and land Green to help bolster the defense.
Purdue WR Deion Burks
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 47 catches, 629 yards, 7 TDs
Career Stats: 30 Games | 63 catches, 804 yards, 7 TDs
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 11 in 2024)
Analysis: A new report is out from On3 showing that Burks is a player who the Oregon Ducks have already been reaching out to, trying to get him to come to Eugene. Burks is a player who exploded onto the scene in 2023 with 7 touchdowns. He is being courted by several schools in need of a wide receiver, but the Ducks are certainly one of them.
South Carolina WR Antwane Wells
[Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
2023 Stats: 3 Games | 3 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD
Career Stats: 16 Games | 71 catches, 965 yards, 8 TDs
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 6 in 2024)
Analysis: South Carolina’s Antwane Wells is among the top-ranked wide receivers in the transfer portal so far, and you can bet that the Oregon Ducks are going to work hard to try and get him out to Eugene to restock the wide receiver room with the departure of Troy Franklin. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Wells is a big-bodied WR who can bring a physical nature to the room.
Duke EDGE RJ Oben
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 17 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 5 sacks
Career Stats: 41 Games | 63 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 13.5 sacks
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 8 in 2024)
Analysis: With Brandon Dorlus and Jordan Burch expected to leave this year, the Ducks could stand to bring in some elite edge rushers and defensive linemen. Duke’s RJ Oben is among the best available at that position right now, proving with his production how dynamic he can be coming off of the edge.
Clemson CB Toriano Pride
2023 Stats: 13 Games | 14 tackles, 1 TFL
Career Stats: 26 Games | 36 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 10 in 2024)
Analysis: If you’re looking for a cornerback who can make a difference, you might look at Toriano Pride from Clemson, who is currently rated as the No. 1 available CB in the portal. Pride took an official visit to Oregon back during his recruitment in 2021, and was also recruited by Dan Lanning when he was at Georgai.
Vanderbilt WR Will Sheppard
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 47 catches, 684 yards, 8 TDs
Career Stats: 42 Games | 152 catches, 2,067 yards, 21 TDs
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 22 in 2024)
Analysis: Will Sheppard is a name that I’ve heard pop up as someone who the Ducks could potentially look at as they try and bolster their WR corps with the expected departure of Troy Franklin. He has a ton of experience at Vanderbilt and has been highly productive in his time with the Commodores, racking up over 550 yards in each of the past three seasons.
Maryland LB Jaishawn Barham
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 11 Games | 37 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT
Career Stats: 23 Games | 95 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF
Former Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 119 in 2022)
Analysis: Jaishawn Barham could be a linebacker that Oregon looks at in the portal this offseason, as he fits the nature of a big-bodied linebacker — 6-foot-4, 230 pounds — that the Ducks have been trying to bring in lately. Barham entered the portal on Monday and is expected to be courted heavily with two years of eligibility remaining.
UTSA LB Trey Moore
(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 45 tackles, 17.5 TFL, 14 sacks
Career Stats: 27 Games | 105 tackles, 30.5 TFL, 22 sacks, 1 INT
Transfer Recruiting Profile: N/A
Analysis: If you’re looking for production at the LB position in the transfer portal, you won’t have to look far past Trey Moore from UTSA. The former Roadrunner was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 with 14 sacks. He still has two years of eligibility remaining and could flourish in Dan Lanning’s system as a big-bodied LB standing at 6-foot-2, 250 pounds. You also can factor in the Will Stein connection at UTSA. Though Stein coached the offense, I’m sure he has a relationship with Moore and can bridge that gap.
Clemson S Andrew Mukuba
Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 10 Games | 42 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 6 PBU
Career Stats: 35 Games | 143 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 sacks, 1 INT
Former Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 167 in 2021 Class)
Analysis: You don’t have to speculate whether or not the Oregon Ducks are going to be interested in Clemson S Andrew Mukuba or not after he entered the portal on Tuesday morning. The Ducks made quick work of reaching out and offering a scholarship to the three-year starter for the Tigers. We’ll see how things move forward over the coming days, but obviously, the Ducks are trying to get in the game here.
Texas A&M DL LT Overton
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 17 tackles
Career Stats: 23 Games | 48 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1 sack
Former Recruiting Profile: 5-star (No. 14 in 2022 Class)
Analysis: Before committing to Texas A&M in the spring of 2022, Lebbius Overton had the Oregon Ducks among his top five schools. As a member of the 2023 class originally, Overton reclassified to 2022 and enrolled in the fall. He took multiple visits to Eugene during his recruitment. At one point, the Ducks were thought to be the team to beat in his recruitment. We’ll see if Lanning can try once again to get him to Eugene.
Georgia CB Nyland Green
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 13 Games | 7 tackles, 1 PBU
Career Stats: 24 Games | 12 tackles, 2 PBU
Former Recruiting Profile: 5-star (No. 19 in 2021 Class)
Analysis: If you’re an Oregon Duck fan who is looking for a cornerback addition via the transfer portal, and feel confident in Dan Lanning’s ability to use past relationships to land talented players, then Nyland Green is the player for you. He is a former 5-star recruit who was rated as the No. 19 overall player in the 2021 class. Lanning was one of his primary recruiters in Athens, so it’s clear that there is a relationship there. Green is leaving Georgia because he didn’t have a path to a starting position, but Lanning might try to bring him to Eugene to jump-start his career.
Arkansas RB Raheim Sanders
Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 6 Games | 209 yards, 2 TDs
Career Stats: 32 Games | 2,230 yards, 17 TDs
Former Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 165 in 2021 Class)
Analysis: I believe that the Ducks are going to be in the market for a running back this year in the transfer portal, and one of the most dynamic options just became available with Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders entering on Tuesday. Sanders didn’t play a full season in 2023, but in 2022, he rushed for over 1,400 yards with 10 touchdowns. He’s clearly a great running back and someone who the Ducks might try to get to bolster their backfield.
Oregon State TE Jack Velling
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 23 Games | 29 catches, 438 yards, 8 TDs
Career Stats: 32 Games | 45 catches, 719 yards, 11 TDs
Former Recruiting Profile: 3-star (No. 847 in 2022 Class)
Analysis: I don’t see this as a massive target for the Ducks, but considering what happens at the TE room in Eugene — Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert both could potentially leave — there’s a chance that Oregon needs to add another TE. Velling has produced at a high level just up the road, so it would make sense for them to reach out.
UCLA S Kamari Ramsey
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 11 Games | 40 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU
Career Stats: 15 Games | 46 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU
Former Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 162 in 2022 Class)
Analysis: The Ducks are definitely trying to find a safety in the transfer portal that they can add this offseason, and a very talented one entered on Wednesday morning in UCLA’s Kamari Ramsey. He still has two years of eligibility remaining and had some really solid production on a great Bruins defense in 2023.
Texas A&M OL Chase Bisontis
Former Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 46 in 2023 Class)
Analysis: Offensive tackle isn’t necessarily an area of need for the Ducks, but if they have a shot at an elite player, then I don’t expect them to pass up on it. Chase Bisontis was a starter for the Aggies this past year, and a highly-rated player in the 2023 class who Oregon offered. We’ll see if they can ry and get him out of the portal.
Florida State EDGE Patrick Payton
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 13 Games | 42 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 10 PBU
Career Stats: 26 Games | 78 tackles, 19.5 TFL, 11 sacks, 13 PBU
Former Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 155 in 2021 Class)
Analysis: Edge rusher isn’t a major area of need for Oregon in the transfer portal this year due to the high number of productive freshmen they have on the roster. However, I’ve been told that Payton has a desire to play at Oregon, so there could be a chance that the two talk at the very least.
Georgia LB Xavian Sorey Jr.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 11 Games | 19 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU
Career Stats: 27 Games | 24 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU
Former Recruiting Profile: 5-star (No. 26 in 2021 Class)
Analysis: This is another 5-star player who Dan Lanning recruited to play for him at Georgia when he was the defensive coordinator of the Bulldogs. While Sorey didn’t play a ton — he averaged 13 snaps per game in his 3 seasons — he has talent at the very least, and Lanning has an existing relationship with him. We will see if the Ducks reach out and try to get him to Eugene.
Indiana Guard Matthew Bedford
Rich Janzaruk-USA TODAY Sports
Former Recruiting Profile: 3-star (No. 817 in 2019 Class)
Analysis: Offensive guard isn’t a major area of need for the Ducks, but if they can find someone to come in and replace Steven Jones for the right price, it would definitely benefit the offensive line. Bedford has started 28 games, most of which came at the right guard spot, with a bit of left guard mixed in as well. Bedford has one year of eligibility remaining.
North Texas WR Ja'Mori Maclin
Manny Flores/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire)
2023 Stats: 12 Games | 57 catches, 1,004 yards, 11 TD
Career Stats: 27 Games | 74 catches, 1,389 yards, 13 TD
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 3-star (No. 78 overall)
Analysis: While the Ducks look to try and replace WR Troy Franklin, they could turn to Maclin to try and lighten the load. Though Maclin is not built like Franklin, standing at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, he played a similar role to Franklin at North Texas this past year, often targeted on deep posts and slants over the middle.
Mississippi State WR Zavion Thomas
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 11 Games | 40 catches, 503 yards, 1 TD
Career Stats: 22 Games | 42 catches, 507 yards, 1 TD
Transfer Recruiting Profile: 4-star (No. 51 overall)
Analysis: The Ducks are in the market for additional receivers, and the skill-set that Zavion Thomas brings to the table is intriguing. While he didn’t have a ton of production in two years at Mississippi State, he is a former high-rated recruit who could thrive in an open offense.
