Greg McElroy identifies Oregon's biggest needs in transfer portal

Oregon has been recruiting at an elite level under head coach Dan Lanning. For the most part, the NCAA transfer portal has been used to fill holes and add pieces to take them over the top. Entering the spring window, the same appears to be true.

Lanning got most of the work done in the winter. When assessing where Oregon could be looking to add somewhere, ESPN’s Greg McElroy admitted the Ducks likely could stay put if they wanted to.

“Oregon, they don’t have a lot of pieces that you need,” McElroy said. “They had 10 players that were signed in their transfer class the last time around. They addressed, at that point, many challenges with the roster… I think Oregon is perfectly well-equipped to go and potentially go and win the whole dang thing again.”

Ten new players will be in an Oregon uniform this upcoming season through the transfer portal. McElroy specifically shouted out the addition of running back Makhi Hughes via Tulane. He believes Hughes was the best player available at the position this offseason, and the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings would agree with him.

With all that being said, there is one position McElroy believes Oregon could add a player. He believes an experienced linebacker could be added.

“The one area that I would try to add to, if I were Dan Lanning, might be the linebacker spot,” McElroy said. “Bryce Boettcher is going to be great, he’s going to be in a great spot. He’s a senior, he’s a veteran, he’s been around for quite a while. You also have a junior that’s been brought along and probably in a position to be a game changer in Devon Jackson. Never started.

“So, I do think having some proven production in that room would be beneficial. I don’t think Dan Lanning is in a real hurry to disrupt some of the rhythm they have defensively. And they’ve recruited so well and played so many that I’m not super worried about the depth at the position. But I could see them adding a linebacker that has some veteran status, if one hops in the portal that can make them better.”

Ultimately, it sounds like Lanning will be staying put at linebacker. He doubled down on the position’s depth coming out of spring practice, saying he is willing to roll with who is already on the roster.