From Eugene to Provo: Saleapaga’s Unexpected Tight End Exodus
Roger Saleapaga, a once-promising Oregon Ducks tight end recovering from an ACL tear, opted to leave the crowded TE room—behind NFL hopefuls Jamari Johnson and Kenyon Sadiq—and commit to BYU with two years of eligibility left. Saleapaga’s move marks Oregon’s fourth TE in the transfer portal and follows former Duck Kyler Kasper’s exit. He joins cousin and BYU lineman Keanu Saleapaga, and teams up with USC transfer Walker Lyons. Meanwhile, Oregon replenishes the slot by adding Penn State’s Andrew Olesh and signing five-star recruit Kendre Harrison.
In a stunning display of collegiate loyalty, Saleapaga bravely trades Autzen’s lush turf for Provo’s majestic mountains—clearly preferring Latter-day Saints chants over “Quack Quack.” Rumor has it he wanted to escape endless tight end drills at Oregon in favor of BYU’s rigorous hymn practices. And one can only assume he’s excited to swap duck beaks for missionary work, because nothing says “sports ambition” like joining your cousin on a team coached by literal prophets. If BYU’s schedule includes football and baptisms, Saleapaga really nailed this combo deal.
Ducks Dive Deep: Lanning’s Transfer Portal Masterclass
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning lost over 20 players to the transfer portal but struck back by re-recruiting familiar faces and landing high-impact additions. The Ducks secured QB Dante Moore’s return and fortified their defensive backfield with former Minnesota safety Koi Perich and Baylor’s Carl Williams IV, alongside returning standouts Aaron Flowers and Trey McNutt. With a defensive line boasting A’Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander, Oregon’s 2026 defense will lean on new and old talent to improve its red-zone woes (opponents scored TD on 72% of red-zone trips in 2025).
It’s the offseason equivalent of a garage clearance sale—dump the old parts, snag shiny new safeties, and pray the engine doesn’t blow up come kickoff. Coach Lanning’s been busier than a bargain hunter on Black Friday, pouncing on any portal name with “Safety” in the title. Of course, nothing cures red-zone hiccups faster than a fresh face in the secondary—because, as we all know, bandaging a gaping roster wound is best done with collegiate speed-daters masquerading as patriots. Ducks fans, fear not: this time it’s different. Probably.
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