Category: Oregon Ducks

Oregon WR Traeshon Holden declares for the NFL Draft

Star Oregon Ducks wide receiver Traeshon Holden announced on Monday that he will declare for the 2025 NFL Draft.

It seems Monday is a day of new beginnings for Oregon Ducks. Ryan Pellum, a freshman wide receiver entered the transfer portal, and several Ducks have declared for the NFL Draft. The most recent addition to the list of NFL-bound Ducks is WR Traeshon Holden. He announced his declaration for the NFL Draft on Monday afternoon.

Holden is out of college eligibility following the 2024 season, so his declaration comes as no surprise. Holden played two seasons at Oregon, following three at Alabama, the school he committed to as a 4-star recruit in the class of 2020.

At 6 feet 3 inches, Holden is a big target for his quarterbacks. In college, he was often tasked with owning the ball in 50-50 situations, using his size and athleticism to overpower opposing DBs. Holden also possesses surprising speed for his size, which makes him dangerous in space.

There are some not-so-great moments that fans will remember about Holden’s college career, such as him spitting in the face of Ohio State DB Davison Igbinosun earlier this season, but the sweet moments far outweigh the sour. Holden’s mesmerizing catch-and-run to give the Ducks a chance in the final moments of the 2023 Pac-12 Championship, as well as his stellar performances this year against Michigan and Ohio State (in the Rose Bowl) come to mind.

Holden likely won’t be a first or second round pick, but just because his production was never off-the-charts in college doesn’t mean he isn’t valuable receiver that could really help any team in the NFL.

Oregon WR Ryan Pellum enters the transfer portal

Ryan Pellum, a former 4-star wide receiver recruit for the Oregon Ducks, has entered the transfer portal.

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Ryan Pellum, a freshman and 4-star recruit in the Ducks‘ class of 2024, has entered the transfer portal per Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.

Pellum was one of four wide receivers in his class to enroll at Oregon, and he was a rated as Top 250 prospect by 247Sports. As a freshman, Pellum played just 11 snaps, eight of which were on special teams. As a smaller receiver, Pellum relies on his speed and route running to get the ball, but we never got to see what he could do with the ball in his hands at Oregon.

Unfortunately, the only lasting memory most fans will have of Pellum is his failed punt return against Michigan. After Tez Johnson, the Ducks’ typical punt returner, was hurt early in the Ducks’ Week 10 matchup, Pellum was the next man up. When the Wolverines punted to the Ducks soon after, the ball flew right threw Pellum’s hands. It was his final snap of the season.

In June 2023, the summer before he signed his letter of intent for Oregon, Pellum was committed to the USC Trojans. It wasn’t until the morning of December 20th, early signing day, that Pellum flipped his commitment from the Trojans to the Ducks. Pellum is the nephew of former Oregon linebackers coach Don Pellum.

As a native of Long Beach, California, and a former USC commit, the Trojans should definitely be a team to watch for in Pellum’s transfer process as they try to reconstruct their offense. On Monday, before it was reported that Pellum had entered the portal, former 5-star QB Sam Huard transferred from Utah to USC. Continuing the family connections, Huard is the son of former Washington Huskies QB Damon Huard.

Pellum also took an unofficial visit to Texas A&M in high school, so they are a team to watch as well.

It’s tough to lose a talented young receiver like Pellum, but the Ducks have plenty of talented pass catchers coming up their pipeline. Rising sophomore Jeremiah McClellan — a fellow 2023 signing day flip — and incoming freshman Dakorien Moore — the No. 1 WR in the class of 2025 — are particularly exciting prospects.

Oregon Ducks DT Derrick Harmon declares for the 2025 NFL Draft

Star Oregon Ducks defensive tackle Derrick Harmon announces his intent to enter the 2025 NFL Draft after one season in Eugene.

The offseason has officially begun for the Oregon Ducks, and while that usually means new players transferring in, it also means players departing. On Monday, Derrick Harmon, a star Ducks defensive tackle, announced on instagram that he is declaring his name for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Harmon transferred to Oregon from the Michigan State Spartans last April, and he was one of the most impactful players on this year’s Ducks defense. As a redshirt junior, Harmon could have returned for another season in Eugene, but he decided his draft stock was high enough to go to the NFL this season.

The 2024 season was, by far, the best of Harmon’s career. He finished the year with 45 tackles, 11 TFLs, five sacks, and 4 PBUs. He also forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles.

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As a 3-star recruit native to Detroit, Harmon outshined all external expectations during his time in college. In the class of 2021, Harmon was ranked as the No. 24 player in Michigan. Four years later, he’s one of the top defensive players entering the NFL Draft.

Harmon played three seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Oregon in 2024. In East Lansing, he complied 71 tackles, seven TFLs, and 3.5 sacks over the course of his career. Those are good numbers, but Harmon’s draft stock really shot up during his season at Oregon.

It’s a bit to early in the draft cycle to have a clear read on which round Harmon will be selected in, especially because it was unclear whether or not he would even enter the draft until Monday. Some mock drafts, including this from the Athletic, project Harmon as a first-round talent, while others see him as a day two pick.

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Oregon vs. Maryland: Instant Reactions to Ducks’ Win vs. the Terrapins

The Oregon Ducks got a win vs. the Maryland Terrapins on Sunday afternoon in Matthew Knight Arena.

The Oregon Ducks beat the Maryland Terrapins, 83-79, in a thriller on Sunday afternoon. The Ducks trailed by as many as 13, but due to key contributions from star guards Jackson Shelstad and Keeshawn Barthelemy, the Ducks avoided falling to 1-3 in conference play and losing two straight games at home.

In the first half, it looked as though Oregon was going to get blown out for the second straight game. But with just under eight minutes left in the first half, Shelstad scored eight points in 69 seconds. That solo run brought the Ducks alive and into the game, allowing them to shrink Maryland’s lead to three at halftime.

The Ducks started the second half down 45-42, but they quicklywent on a 14-2 run, leading by nine with 15 minutes to in the game. At that point, it looked as though the Ducks might run away with the game, but the Terrapins stormed back, retaking the lead with nine minutes to go.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, neither team could pull away from the other, and with two minutes to go, the game was tied 76-76. Jus then, Barthelemy laced a clutch three-pointer to go ahead, and after that, Oregon several key stops to close out the win.

Oregon vs. Maryland Keys to the Game

  • The Ducks would not have won this game if not for Jackson Shelstad. The sophomore guard was as productive and efficient as you can be, not missing a shot until nearly 30 minutes into the game. At one point, Maryland was face-guarding Shelstad at half-court without the ball in his hands.
  • This truly was a game of momentum, the lead changed hands several times and both teams went on multiple massive runs. Without their big run to end the first half, or their 14-2 run to start the second half, the Ducks wouldn’t have come close in this game.
  • Both teams shot the basketball very well on Sunday. Both finished over 45% from the field and over 40% from three. In a game dominated by offense like this, it’s only fitting that the result came down to defense.
  • The Ducks defense was much improved from their horrendous showing on Thursday against Illinois, but it still had room for improvement. Down the stretch, Oregon tightened things up on defense, holding the Terrapins to making one of their final nine field goal attempts.

Oregon vs. Team B Players of the Game

Jackson Shelstad: 23 points, 8/10 FGs, 5/5 3Ps, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

Keeshawn Barthelemy: 14 points, 5/8 FGs, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block

Nate Bittle: 16 points, 6/10 FGs, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal

Bam Tracey: 10 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal

KJ Evans: 10 points, 7 rebounds

Oregon vs. Maryland Notable Stats

  • Oregon finished 52% from the field and 43% from three. The Terrapins shot 43% from deep as well, but after shooting over 50% from the field for most of the game, Maryland’s FG% fell to 47% in the final minutes.
  • The Ducks made 13/15 free throws, and the Terrapins were just 14/19. Several of those Maryland misses came in the game’s final minutes
  • The Ducks’ depth helped make the difference in this game. Their bench outscored Maryland’s 26-12.
  • Oregon guards Jackson Shelstad and Keeshawn Barthelemy combined for 37 points on 72.2% shooting.

What’s Next for Oregon Ducks?

  • Jan. 9 — at Ohio State Buckeyes
  • Jan. 12 — at Penn State Nittany Lions
  • Jan.  18 — vs. No. 20 Purdue Boilermakers
  • Jan. 21 — vs. Washington Huskies
  • Jan. 25 — at Minnesota Golden Gophers

After a two-game homestand to kick off the meat of Oregon’s conference schedule, the Ducks are going on the road for a pair of games against Big Ten opponents. After that, Oregon returns home for a Top 25 matchup and rivalry game against Washington.

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Tez Johnson extends thank you to fans as he declares for the NFL Draft

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson extends a thank to fans, family, coaches, and teammates as he declares for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Few things are permanent in college athletics. Every program has highs and lows, and each player only gets four full seasons of play. Talented new players are always apparating from high school to replace the seemingly irreplaceable graduating seniors. But some players are truly irreplaceable.

One of those guys is Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson. In two seasons at Oregon, Johnson went from an unknown Group of Five receiver to one of the top players in college football. After three years at Troy and two at Oregon, Johnson is out of college eligibility, and on Sunday he thanked family, fans, coaches, and more as he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Instagram.

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Johnson transferred to Oregon in 2023, after three seasons with the Troy Trojans, and he played two fantastic seasons as a Duck. Johnson has said Oregon was always dream school, and that he became a massive Ducks fan after he was gifted a Oregon hoodie as kid.

Included in Johnson’s Instagram post are heartfelt thank yous to both of his mothers (his biological mother Shamika Posey and his adoptive mother Krista Nix) and “The Coach he now calls Dad,” Patrick Nix.

Johnson made the most of his time at his dream school. He finished his Oregon career with 169 catches, 2080 receiving yards, 20 TDs, and one punt return touchdown. Despite only playing two seasons, Johnson’s 169 is the fourth-most at Oregon all-time. He finished only nine catches behind Jeff Maehl, and if he didn’t miss several games due to injury this season, Johnson would likely hold the record.

As one of college football’s top receivers and the brother of Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix, Johnson will surely draw interest from the NFL, although some scouts have expressed doubts due to his size. Although 5 feet 10 inches and 160 pounds is small for an NFL receiver, Johnson’s reliable hands and dynamic movement should make him successful at any level.

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Traeshon Holden is the Player of the Game in Oregon’s embarrassing loss to Ohio State

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Traeshon Holden is the Player of the Game in Oregon’s disappointing Rose Bowl loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Oregon Ducks have lost their first game of the 2024-25 season, falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes, 41-21, in the Rose Bowl — the quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff. The loss is a disappointing end to what has been a fantastic season for the Ducks, and the Buckeyes’ dominance makes the loss even more heartbreaking.

There were few redeeming qualities to the way Oregon played on Wednesday. In the first half, more plays seemed to go backward than forwards, and there were holes all over on defense. One of the few Ducks to perform well in the Rose Bowl was wide receiver Traeshon Holden. He is the Ducks Wire Player of the Game.

Holden finished the game with 7 catches for 116 yards (16.6 yards per catch) and two of Oregon’s three touchdowns. Near the end of the first half — with zero points on the board for Oregon — Holden caught a pass from Gabriel for 44 yards on 3rd and 16, setting the Ducks up inside Ohio State territory for the first time. A few plays later, Holden caught the ball in the back of the endzone for Oregon’s first points of the game.

In the second half, Holden saw similar success. Two of his second-half catches were third-down conversions. One of those was a 27-yard reception on a seam route that Holden took into the end zone.

It will be a long offseason for Oregon, and the sting of this loss won’t wear off for a long time. Much of the Ducks’ starting lineup just played their final game in college — Holden included.

Holden’s season was strong, and his play in the Rose Bowl may have improved his draft stock. His sure hands, ability to read zone coverage, and dynamic movement after the catch should make him a desirable prospect. Although the result of the Rose Bowl is the opposite of what Oregon was looking for, Traeshon Holden ends his 27-game Oregon career on a personal high note.

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Oregon Ducks schedule: When do the Ducks play in the Rose Bowl? 

When do the Oregon Ducks take the field for the Rose Bowl? Here’s a look at the College Football Playoff schedule and the games to come. 

When will the Oregon Ducks take the field in Pasadena to face off against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl?

The Ducks have been getting plenty of rest after winning the Big Ten Championship game on December 7th, but game day has finally arrived.

The Ducks will play the eighth-seeded Buckeyes for the right to move on to the Cotton Bowl Classic. The Rose Bowl begins at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT (ESPN).

The winner of the Rose Bowl will advance to play either No. 5 Texas or No. 4 Arizona State on January 10th.

Oregon Ducks 2024 schedule

  • Aug. 31: vs. Idaho (W, 24-14)
  • Sept. 7: vs. Boise State (W, 37-34)
  • Sept. 14: at Oregon State (W, 49-14)
  • Sept. 28: at UCLA (W, 34-13)
  • Oct. 4: vs. Michigan State (W, 31-10)
  • Oct. 12: vs. Ohio State (W, 32-31)
  • Oct. 18: at Purdue (W, 35-0)
  • Oct. 26: vs. Illinois (W, 38-9)
  • Nov. 2: at Michigan (W, 38-17)
  • Nov. 9: vs. Maryland (W, 39-18)
  • Nov. 16: at Wisconsin (W, 16-13)
  • Nov. 30: vs. Washington (W, 49-21)
  • Dec. 7: vs. Penn State (W, 45-37)
  • Jan. 1: vs. Ohio State (Rose Bowl, College Football Playoff quarterfinal)
  • Record: 13-0

Oregon Ducks football tickets: Latest prices for Rose Bowl vs. Ohio State

See the last-minute ticket prices for Wednesday’s Rose Bowl game between Oregon and Ohio State.

The Oregon Ducks are looking to extend their undefeated season on New Year’s Day in a must-watch rematch against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Ducks and Buckeyes will meet on Wednesday in the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California (5:00 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Last-minute tickets for the game are still available. At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the Rose Bowl between Oregon and Ohio State cost $193.

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Oregon prevailed in a 32-31 thriller when these teams met in Eugene back in October.

Get your Oregon vs. Ohio State Rose Bowl tickets now before they sell out.

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Top photos from Oregon Ducks pre-Rose Bowl festivities in Pasadena

Take a look at the best images of the Oregon Ducks leading up to the 2025 Rose Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

We’re less than 24 hours away from the 2025 Rose Bowl, where the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes will face off to ring in the New Year. This is a quarterfinal matchup in the College Football Playoff, but it’s also a battle between the two best teams in college football.

The Ducks beat the Buckeyes, 32-31, earlier this season in Autzen Stadium as 3.5-point underdogs. This time around, Ohio State is favored once again, this time by 2.5 points.

Oregon hasn’t played since the Big Ten Championship on December 7th, when they beat Penn State, 45-37. Ohio State played much more recently, taking Tennessee down, 42-17, on December 21st in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

The Ducks have been in Pasadena for a few days, practicing, preparing, and speaking to the media ahead of the New Year’s Day game. Below are thirty images from the Ducks’ lead up to the Rose Bowl, before they take the field at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Oregon’s 3 Keys to Victory against Ohio State

The three most important keys for the Oregon Ducks against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Rose Bowl.

The Oregon Ducks are a day away from playing their most important football game in a decade. Ten years ago, the Ducks fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 national championship game. Now they have a chance to exact revenge in the Rose Bowl.

What college football is all about.

Oregon hosted Ohio State in Autzen Stadium earlier this season and won 32-31. Eleven weeks later, the Ducks (13-0) are still undefeated, and the Buckeyes are 11-2. Their second loss was courtesy of a so-so Michigan team, but Ohio State is fresh off demolishing the Tennessee Volunteers — one of the top teams in the country.

Wednesday’s game will be one to remember, however it shakes out. While most sportsbooks have the Buckeyes favored by about a field goal, I see this game as a tossup. If the Ducks are to win, they’ll likely succeed in the three areas I’ve listed below. My three keys to victory.

Keep the run game locked up

Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

If I had to boil down one reason the Oregon Ducks beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in October, it’s the defense’s effort to keep Quinshon Judkins and TreyVeon Henderson contained. Those are two of the best backs in college football, and the Ducks kept them from doing much of anything. Judkins was nonexistent with 23 yards. While Henderson had 87 yards, 53 came on one rush early in the game. It will not be easy to have the same success, but it will be an important point of focus for Oregon’s defense.

The ball, the ball, the ball

Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

We’ve seen Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi repeatedy emphasize the importance of the ball, and how taking it away can change a game. Oregon’s offense will need to be at it’s best in this game regardless — and part of that is not turning the ball over. But if the defense can put the ball back in Dillon Gabriel’s hands with a takeaway once or twice, the Ducks will be in real good shape.

Win third down

When these teams faced in October, the Ducks converted nearly half of their third-down attempts, and the Buckeyes converted a third. That may seem like a small difference, but in games like these — fights between two heavyweights — every first down matters, and third-down stops can matter even more. If Oregon can create a similar gap in third-down efficiency, they’ll be in good shape to win.

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