Oregon Duck’s transfer portal signee already making big impression on head coach Dan Lanning
Oregon Duck’s new tight end is making a name for himself early on in fall camp.
As the Oregon Ducks gear up to defend their BIG Ten title, one name emerging as a potential difference-maker is tight end Jamari Johnson. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound sophomore is turning heads in fall camp, and if his development continues on this trajectory, he could become one of the Ducks’ most unique weapons on offense.
Johnson, a former four-star recruit from Inglewood, California, transferred to Oregon after one season at Louisville, where he saw limited action but flashed rare athleticism for a player his size. Originally a high school quarterback turned tight end, Johnson brings a versatile skill set and physicality that perfectly fits the Ducks’ offensive identity under head coach Dan Lanning and offensive coordinator Will Stein. A season-long ankle injury ended Johnson’s promising 2024 season, and he then entered the transfer portal at the end of the year.
After watching his tape from this past season, it’s clear that Oregon is betting on Johnson’s athletic upside. He is a smooth mover who flashes excellent straight-line speed to get vertical through the seam. He is a big-bodied tight end who offers an outstanding catch radius and has terrific ball skills. Johnson is a natural receiver who excels at high-pointing the football and adjusting to the ball in the air. As a blocker, Johnson displays good power at the point of attack and works to finish his block through the whistle – something coach Lanning will appreciate.
Lanning discussed why adding Johnson was a priority this offseason during his post-practice press conference on Tuesday.
“It was more about adding a player we thought added value, and Jamari certainly adds value. He’s got length, big body, catches the ball really well,” Lanning said. “I think there’s a pick up that he has to continue to figure out what are we doing in the offense? And as he picks that up, he takes great steps forward. His size and athleticism is unique for that position.”
Johnson joins a tight end room that is not without talent. Kenyon Sadiq is the incumbent and one of the best tight ends in the country. With that said, Johnson will still have plenty of opportunities to see the field. While the Ducks are bringing Sadiq back, the team did lose Terrance Ferguson to the NFL and will need to replace him in 12 personnel sets. Johnson is considered the top option to play alongside Sadiq in that formation, and the two can present unique mismatch opportunities given their size, length, and raw athleticism.
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Furthermore, Oregon is known for moving Sadiq around the formation, and with wide receiver Evan Stewart out with a season-ending injury, Sadiq could see more snaps split out wide. With this as a possibility, Johnson’s value to the Ducks offense can’t be ignored, and he could be a “x” factor that many around college football aren’t aware of.
