That whole Herbert-to-Herbert dream seems so long ago.
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert throwing to his younger brother Patrick never occurred for one reason or another. But it looks like the younger Herbert, now a junior, should get plenty of passes thrown his way in the coming months.
Due to an injury to Terrance Ferguson that knocked him out of spring practice, Herbert is now No. 1 on the tight end depth chart for the spring game. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder has a chance to become the player everyone thought he would be coming out of Eugene’s Sheldon High School.
Herbert showed glimpses of his talent in 2022, but the depth chart at tight end was loaded with players such as Terrance Ferguson and Moliki Matavao. Ferguson is injured and Matavao went to UCLA, which gives Herbert an extended look.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning already knows Herbert’s skill set and what he brings to the table after what he saw in 2022.
“Patrick probably doesn’t get enough credit for how consistent of a player he’s been when his number was called last year,” Lanning said. “He did exactly what we asked him to do. I know he knows that he has a role to embrace and a lot more to do for. Then also seeing a young guy like Kenyon (Sadiq) step up. It’s been really beneficial for us as well.”
Sadiq might be the answer at tight end in the future, but for the present, it’s Herbert. It’s the same position Herbert was in just a few seasons ago. At that time, although Herbert battled injuries, it gave him a chance to redshirt and learn the college game. Fortunately for the Ducks, the tight end position was plentiful.
That’s not the case in 2023 with Herbert being the only healthy tight end who has played a snap of football in college. Hopefully, Ferguson can get healthy over the summer and replenish the depth chart. If not, Herbert and Sadiq will have to grow quickly.
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