Oregon running back explains his about-face following transfer portal flirtation

After a turbulent week, Oregon running back Sean Dollars has made a final decision on whether to transfer away from Eugene.

Following a talk with his new head coach Dan Lanning, Dollars is fully committed to the Ducks program for the 2022 season, he announced on Twitter late Wednesday night. 

“After talking with (Coach Dan Lanning) I’ve decided to take myself out of the transfer portal and stay at The University of Oregon,” the running back said. “I’m fully committed to putting my focus on the team and seeing everyone in Autzen this upcoming season! #GoDucks“

He formally removed his name from the transfer portal early Thursday morning.

The news comes after Dollars entered, removed his name from and subsequently re-entered the portal in a span of 32 minutes earlier this week.

The 5-foot-10, 171-pound back has totaled 15 carries for 128 yards over three years in the Ducks program. Nearly half of his career yards came on a single play, a 63-yard rush against Montana, in 2019 as a true freshman. He did not play in 2021 due to a knee injury he suffered last winter that took longer to heal than expected.

Dollars is a former four-star recruit per On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He went to famed Mater Dei High School in Southern California and was the No. 12 running back and No. 21 overall player from the state in the 2019 class.

Oregon running back room is loaded for 2022

Since Dollars is returning, Oregon currently has five scholarship running backs on their roster. That number, however, includes veterans Travis Dye and CJ Verdell who have yet to make a decision about the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft.

Dye was the team’s leading rusher this season with 211 attempts for 1,271 yards and 16 scores. Dual-threat quarterback Anthony Brown fell just behind him on the rushing list, as the running back room dealt with a swatch of injuries that limited playing time for multiple ball carriers.

The other backs in the room for 2022 are Byron Cardwell and Seven McGee, both of which were four-star recruits in the 2020 class. Class of 2019 back Trey Benson, also a former four-star recruit, entered the transfer portal on Wednesday. The news was first reported by Matt Zenitz of On3.