Three tight end storylines to follow during Oregon’s 2023 spring game

As Dan Lanning and his staff continue to reshape the Oregon program ahead of their second season in Eugene, the Ducks’ spring game is just around the corner.

The April 29 scrimmage at Autzen Stadium in Eugene is set for a 1 p.m. PT kickoff and will feature plenty of new impactful additions. This spring, 31 newcomers have joined the program via the transfer portal and the 2023 signing class.

Throughout the week, the ScoopDuck staff will be identifying three spring game storylines to keep tabs on for each Oregon position group.

Next up, the tight ends.

Who will get reps at tight end?

At this point, tight end is Oregon’s most concerning position from a depth perspective.

The Ducks entered the spring with just three scholarship tight ends. Their returning starter, Terrance Ferguson, is out for the remainder of the spring with an undisclosed injury. That leaves fifth-year junior Patrick Herbert and true freshman Kenyon Sadiq as the program’s lone, healthy scholarship players at the position.

Dan Lanning said earlier this month that Oregon has several players who could potentially fill in to add depth. On Saturday, he declined to reveal which, if any, have shifted to tight end.

Aside from Herbert and Sadiq, the Ducks also feature three walk-ons: Travis Brashear, Peter Burke, and Landen Shepard. It’s possible that all three will get reps at Autzen on Saturday.

Can Kenyon Sadiq be a day-one contributor?

It’s evident that Oregon is going to need to add another impact tight end via the transfer portal between now and the start of next season.

But the Ducks’ concerns at the position could be alleviated — at least partially — if freshman Kenyon Sadiq is able to make an instant impact.

A 4-star signee from the 2023 class, Sadiq is an uber-athletic tight end who has drawn comparisons to former Ole Miss star and first-round NFL Draft pick Evan Engram. According to On3, Sadiq was the No. 118 overall player and No. 6 tight end in his class.

Oregon tight ends coach Drew Mehringer has praised Sadiq’s mentality and work ethic, saying the freshman “rarely makes the same mistake twice.”

It’s still very days for Sadiq, and time will tell if he’s able to play a significant role for the Ducks in 2023.

“He’s got to go out there and show he can play consistent football for us,” Mehringer said on April 15. “Not just, Can we go out there and throw you a hitch route and see what happens?’ You’ve got to be able to play all three facets of the game for us — run blocking, pass-catching and pass protection. He’s got to be able to do that, but right now I just think he’s drinking from a fire hose. … I think he’s got a lot to show, but I think it’s a little early right now. I think these next two weeks for him are going to be really really important.”

Patrick Herbert’s role within the offense

After injuries derailed his first three college seasons, Patrick Herbert proved in 2022 that he can be a consistent contributor at the Pac-12 level.

In 13 games last season, Herbert played 219 offensive snaps and caught 95 passes for six yards. He also hauled in his first career touchdown during the Ducks’ win over Cal.

While Herbert’s stats might not jump off the page, he was a tremendous blocker for the Ducks and carved out a role as a lead-blocker in Kenny Dillingham’s “14-J” jumbo package.

According to Pro Football Focus, Herbert lined up as a fullback 47 times last season. It’s unclear at this point how often newly-hired OC Will Stein will opt to utilize him in a similar role next season.

Regardless, Oregon is going to lean heavily on Herbert.

“I think Pat has got a lot of versatility for us,” Mehringer said. “I think for him through a full season healthy was a big deal. He’s going to be a very key piece of what we’re trying to do here — not only in from an inline place but for playing out wide and doing everything else we saw our tight ends do this past year.

“We’re really excited to have him back. He’s playing better football and better football and keeps developing and developing. We’re really excited to see where he goes.”

The post Three tight end storylines to follow during Oregon’s 2023 spring game appeared first on On3.