Prediction: Oregon Poised for Transfer Portal Addition
The transfer portal has been one of the biggest wrinkles in college football in recent years, but even more so between the 2022 and 2023 college football seasons.
Every school has a different approach when it comes to additions and departures, but one thing's for sure: adding the right players can change the outlook for your season in a hurry.
The Ducks have already added a number of big names this offseason including wide receiver Traeshon Holden, offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius and edge rusher Jordan Burch to name a few.
That number should grow this weekend, as USC wide receiver transfer Gary Bryant Jr. is set to announce his college commitment on Saturday May 13. The buzz is that he'll likely decide between Oregon and Texas A&M, with Miami standing on the outside looking in.
I'm predicting that Bryant will commit to Oregon and become a Duck.
Confidence level: 7.5/10
Bryant took official visits to a number of schools including Oregon and Texas A&M, but there are a number reasons why I think Oregon should win out.
Explaining the pick
For starters, relationships play a big role in any recruitment and Junior Adams has a longstanding connection with Bryant dating back to his high school days at Corona Centennial. There's familiarity with Oregon's wide receivers coach because Washington was a finalist for the former Adidas All-American.
There's ample Southern California ties on the roster from both a player and staff standpoint, which should only add to the appeal and comfort of being in Eugene.
Playing at Oregon gives him a chance to stay close to home out West and it makes it easy for the family to attend his game on a weekly basis whether that's in Eugene or elsewhere in the Pac-12.
The wide receiver room is a little crowded with Troy Franklin, Traeshon Holden, Tez Johnson and Kris Hutson all projected to play major roles in 2023. When it comes down to it, this team wants to compete for a national championship and they may have a better chance than Texas A&M with their roster, particularly at quarterback with Bo Nix returning for a fifth season after lighting up the scoreboard under Kenny Dillingham.
The best teams all welcome competition, which is exactly what Nix mentioned with the wide receiver room when Tez hopped in the mix. Bryant got buried on the depth chart at USC after Jordan Addison and Mario Williams arrived from the portal and it looks like he'll get another chance to showcase his talents in Eugene.
Everything I've heard and been told make me believe the Ducks will be the pick.
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