Potential Transfer Portal Targets for the Oregon Ducks

Dan Lanning has had a lot of success bringing in players from the portal and he'll look to do it again heading into the 2024 season.

Author:
Max Torres
Publish date:
Dec 5, 2023 2:42 PM EST

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Oregon Ducks

The transfer portal window officially opened on Monday December 4, 2023.

There are already a lot of big names that are looking for new homes and Dan Lanning and the Ducks have a strong track record of identifying and acquiring top talent in the portal.

With the Ducks set to lose some veterans at key spots across the board, I'm spotlighting some players that could emerge as potential targets for Oregon in the transfer portal.

This list will continue to be updated as more players enter the portal and news surfaces.

Texas A&M DL Walter Nolen

Texas A&M defensive lineman Walter Nolen in a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. — © Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

Career stats (23 games): 66 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble

Analysis: Nolen was a five-star recruit in the 2022 class and had Georgia as one of his finalists when Dan Lanning was still on the staff. With the Ducks set to lose Brandon Dorlus, Casey Rogers and Popo Aumavae, the names don't get much bigger than Nolen if they'd like to solidify that spot.

Texas A&M DL LT Overton

LT Overton LSU — © Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Career Stats (23 games): 48 total tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss

Analysis: Oregon was making a late push in the 2022 recruiting cycle before Overton landed at Texas A&M. This might be one of the stronger Dan Lanning connections from his time at Georgia. Overton reclassified from the 2023 class to the 2022 class and was one of the top players in the state of Georgia. Oregon needs help along the defensive line.

Oklahoma Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws a pass in warmups facing the West Virginia Mountaineers. — © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Career Stats at Oklahoma (24 games): 6,823 passing yards, 66% completion, 55 TD, 12 INT | 182 carries, 688 rushing yards, 18 TD

Analysis: The Ducks are looking for a quarterback to replace Bo Nix and Gabriel had a fantastic 2023 season with the Sooners. He's one of the most experienced players available and his dual-threat skill set would be a nice fit in Will Stein's offense.

Washington State QB Cameron Ward

Career Stats at WSU (25 games): 6,963 passing yards, 65.5% completion, 48 passing TD, 16 INT | 227 carries, 202 rushing yards 13 rushing TD

Analysis: Ward is another one of the bigger names right there with Gabriel. Oregon knows him well after facing him in each of the past two seasons. He's a gifted passer that excels at extending the play when the pocket breaks down and can throw off-platform.

UCLA QB Dante Moore

UCLA Bruins quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass in warmups before facing the Oregon State Beavers. — © Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Career Stats (9 games): 1,610 passing yards, 53.5% completion 11 passing TD, 9 INT

Analysis: Moore was previously committed to Oregon prior to Kenny Dillingham taking the Arizona State job. He has elite arm talent and is one of the most gifted quarterbacks I've seen in person. I think Chip Kelly wasn't the right fit for him in Westwood and changing quarterbacks didn't help him gain confidence.

Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei

Oregon State Beavers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei meets with Dan Lanning after a game against the Oregon Ducks. — © Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Career Stats (48 games): 8,319 passing yards, 59.1% completion, 57 passing TD, 24 INT | 343 carries, 1,132 rushing yards, 21 rushing TD

Analysis: There's an obvious connection here that goes past his younger brother Matayo being at Oregon. The Ducks recruited DJ heavily coming out of high school in the class of 2020, but that was a different coaching staff. He's a steady presence at quarterback that has more mobility than most would think. But Oregon could probably find a better fit.

Clemson S Andrew Mukuba

Career Stats (35 games): 143 total tackles, 1 INT, 17 pass breakups

Analysis: Mukuba was Oregon's first official offer in the transfer portal and the Ducks know they're going to need some help retooling the safety room. He's originally from Texas, where the Ducks have plenty of ties.

USC WR Raleek Brown

USC Trojans wide receiver Raleek Brown hurdles a Tulane defender. — © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Career stats (16 games): 19 catches, 193 receiving yards, 3 receiving TD | 42 carries, 243 rushing yards, 4 rushing TD

Analysis: Brown was a player that was closely linked to Oregon and highly coveted by the Ducks in 2022 before he committed to USC. He was a matchup nightmare for linebackers when I saw him at the Opening coming out of high school and would be a great addition to any offense. USC switched him from running back to wide receiver in 2023 but the guy is electric.

Clemson CB Toriano Pride Jr.

Clemson Tigers cornerback Toriano Pride goes through a drill at practice. — © Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

Career stats (23 games): 36 total tackles, 1 INT, 9 pass breakups, 2 tackles for loss

Analysis: Pride was a top target for Oregon in the 2022 recruiting class and took an official visit with the Ducks prior to landing at Clemson. With Trikweze Bridges entering the transfer portal and Khyree Jackson running out of eligibility, Pride could be an option for the Ducks to retool their secondary.

Arizona State DL B.J. Green

Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman B.J. Green tackles Oregon running back Bucky Irving. — © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2023 stats: 39 total tackles, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Analysis: Green was one of the best players on Arizona State's defense this year. He's got three years of experience and is a disruptive force in the trenches. He's a player that Oregon would be wise to reach out to and see if there's interest in revamping the defensive line.

Purdue WR Deion Burks

Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Deion Burks attempts a catch against the Indian Hoosiers. — © Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Career stats (30 games): 63 catches, 804 yards, 7 touchdowns

Analysis: Burks is one of the biggest names in the portal at the wide receiver spot. The Ducks will need some help to replace Troy Franklin once he heads to the NFL Draft and Burks is coming off his best college season yet.

Texas Tech WR Jerand Bradley

Texas Tech wide receiver Jerand Bradley catches a pass against the Kansas Jayhawks. — © Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Career Stats (28 games): 92 catches, 1,274 receiving yards, 10 receiving TD

Analysis: Bradley is another huge wide receiver that's build more like a tight end at 6'5", 215 pounds. The Ducks got to see him first-hand when they played Texas Tech and he's a great wide receiver with big-play ability and he'd be a great option in the red zone.

USTA EDGE Trey Moore

UTSA Roadrunners edge rusher Trey Moore pressures the passer against North Texas. — © Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Career stats (12 games): 105 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 22 sacks , 10 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles

Analysis: Moore is coming off a phenomenal redshirt sophomore season in 2023 after recording 14 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. Top-tier edge rushers are incredibly rare in the transfer portal and the Ducks have an in with their coaching staff in Will Stein and Antonio Parks both spending time with the Road Runners. Especially if Jordan Burch chooses to declare for the draft, Moore would be a guy to call.

Washington State WR Josh Kelly

Washington State wide receiver Josh Kelly catches a pass against the Washington Huskies. — © Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

2023 stats (12 games): 61 catches, 923 receiving yards, 8 receiving TD

Analysis: Kelly was one of the best wide receivers in the Pac-12 this season. With Washington State's conference future a major question mark it makes sense that he's looking for a new home. He's a West Coast kid from Fresno, California and brings a veteran presence after spending time at Fresno State before landing in Pullman.

South Carolina WR Antwane Wells Jr.

South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. attempts to catch a pass against Furman. — © Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

2023 (38 games): 187 catches, 2,818 receiving yards, 28 touchdowns

Analysis: Wells is one of the big-name playmakers in the transfer portal. He started his college career at James Madison and had a lot of success. He nearly went for 1,000 yards in the SEC in 2022, but redshirted this season after only playing in three games. With Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson having big years for the Ducks, they're going to continue to be a destination for elite pass catchers.

Georgia CB Nyland Green

Career Stats (26 games): 12 total tackles, 2 pass breakups, 0.5 tackles for loss

Analysis: Dan Lanning was one of Green's primary recruiters when he signed with Georgia in the 2021 recruiting class. Oregon could look for more help at corner with Khyree Jackson set to depart.

The Oregon Duck leads the football team out onto the field ahead of a matchup with the USC Trojans.