Transfer Portal Safety Dillon Thieneman Commits to Oregon Ducks from Purdue

The Oregon Ducks have landed a commitment from Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman out of the transfer portal. Oregon coach Dan Lanning's impressive streak of landing impact transfers continues.

Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) talks to Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Joseph Jefferson II (32) after a Notre Dame Fighting Irish passing touchdown Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 66-7. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks have landed a commitment from Purdue Boilermakers safety Dillon Thieneman out of the transfer portal. Oregon coach Dan Lanning has a proven track record of adding impact transfers to the Ducks roster, and Thieneman is expected to make an immediate effect in Eugene.

Thieneman was named True Freshman of the Year by 247Sports in 2023 after an impressive campaign with Purdue's defense. The latest Ducks commit totaled 106 tackles, six interceptions, and two forced fumbles as a freshman. As a sophomore, Thieneman did not record a turnover, but he still surpassed the 100-tackles mark on the season.

The Purdue transfer announced his commitment to Oregon with a social media post on Saturday.

Committed #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/3s8jOY2sen

— Dillon Thieneman (@DillonThieneman) December 14, 2024

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Before committing to the Ducks, Thieneman reportedly took visits to Oregon as well as the Ohio State Buckeyes. Because Purdue fired coach Ryan Walters, the entire Boilermakers roster is given a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal.

As a transfer, 247Sports ranks Thieneman as the No. 1 safety in the portal. As a recruit, Thieneman flew under the radar as a three-star prospect.

Before Oregon faced Purdue in the 2024 regular season, Lanning shared some of his thoughts on Thieneman's abilities after scouting the opponent.

Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) talks to Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Joseph Jefferson II (32) after a Notre Dame Fighting Irish passing touchdown Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 66-7. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“I mean, obviously, 31 is a guy that can play sideline to sideline. They play their safety a little deeper than some teams traditionally, which allows him to really play, almost like a flat-footed read player back there who can see the ball and react to the ball. And he’s a really talented player who does a great job of doing that, and finds himself around the ball consistently," said Lanning.

Now, Lanning will have Thieneman's talents on his roster at Oregon, and the Purdue transfer is expected to make an immediate impact. The Ducks have recruited safeties Aaron Flowers and Peyton Woodyard, but Thieneman offers experience at the college level that should be valuable for Oregon's defense.

In the past, Lanning and the Ducks have landed defensive backs Jabbar Muhammad, Kobe Savage, Tysheem Johnson, and Nikko Reed out of the transfer portal. In addition, defensive linemen Jordan Burch, Jamaree Caldwell, and Derrick Harmon all began their careers at other schools before transferring to Oregon.

Led by defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi and Lanning, Oregon's defense ranks in the top-10 nationally for scoring defense and passing defense. Adding a player of Thieneman's caliber will only help the Ducks' defensive backfield.

Before Thieneman joins the Oregon roster, the Ducks will compete in the College Football Playoff, beginning with the Rose Bowl Game against the winner of Ohio State vs. Tennessee.

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