Oregon position preview: Tight end

Oregon heads into the 2021 season with questions at tight end – but also, with a lot of potential answers. It’s not so much a question of WHETHER the production will come, but rather FROM WHOM.

Losing statistical leader Hunter Kampmoyer to the NFL creates an opportunity for others to step up and provide a much needed spark. The only major contributor returning is converted defensive end DJ Johnson, so there’s certainly snaps to be had.

The real question now is whether one of the older guys on the roster takes the next step, or does one of Oregon’s talented freshmen rise up the depth chart?

DJ Johnson

Johnson is the returning stats leader. While he played in just four games, he caught 10 passes for 113 yards and three touchdowns.

Johnson was a major contributor by necessity last season, but exactly what role will he play now that the team has more healthy bodies. Already jumbo-sized for tight ends in 2020 at 258 pounds, he’s listed at 273 heading into this year.

It’s certainly unorthodox to see a tight end play and contribute at that weight. But then, few tight ends possess Johnson’s natural athletic ability.

Since he’s the only returner who saw any action last season, you would expect to see Johnson play early, if not often. Could we see him transition into more of a block-first, in-line tight end who still has the ability to be used in motion and create mismatches?

Spencer Webb

We glimpsed what Webb has to offer in 2019, when he played in nine games and caught 18 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns. An injury sidelined him last season, but he’s been back in action for months now and figures to be a key contributor.

As a freshman, Webb had a handful of memorable moments. There was the absolute Mossing of an Auburn defender in the end zone in the opener, and another big touchdown grab to help Oregon beat Washington in Seattle.

Webb is the most experienced tight end in the room, and he offers a rare skill set: Webb complements Johnson in that he’s more of a versatile pass-catcher. He’s listed at 6-6 and 234 pounds and is a great threat across the middle.

I believe Joe Moorhead will welcome having a healthy Webb in his arsenal. If he is able to put everything together, Webb could see his star rise.

Cam McCormick

The 6-5, 259-pounder has caught just seven passes in his four-year Oregon career, and a recurring injury has kept him on the shelf since the season opener in 2018. The biggest question mark for McCormick isn’t his talent, but rather if he’s able to stay the field.

McCormick has played a bit in fall camp, and he could well carve out a key role in this offense. After all, no one in the tight end room has ever had a year with more than 18 catches.

Someone is going to end up as the starter, and playing time is certainly available – especially given Moorhead’s propensity to use multiple tight ends. If McCormick is healthy rolling into the season, he’ll absolutely be in that mix.

Patrick Herbert

The redshirt freshman was going to have a real shot at cracking the rotation after not seeing any playing time last year due to an injury. But now, the upcoming season is also in doubt.

The younger brother of Justin Herbert crumbled to the ground just prior to the team’s first fall scrimmage, and he’s been missing from practice ever since. Head coach Mario Cristobal talked about how Herbert was going to be absent for a while.

We don’t know the severity of his injury, but it sure sounds as if the Sheldon High grad will miss at least some if not all of the upcoming season.

Moliki Matavao

The freshman from Las Vegas, who checks in at 6-6 and 263 pounds, finds himself in an interesting spot.

With the lack of experience and playing time above him on the depth chart, there’s a real chance to see the field. Matavao has the bulk to be a blocking tight end, but his high school tape showed that he can be a contributor in the passing game as well.

If Matavao has had a strong fall camp, he could come into the season as the team’s third tight end. If that’s the case, I absolutely think there’s a shot we not only see him play, but contribute right away.

Terrance Ferguson

Similar to Matavao, the talented 6-6, 234-pound tight end has had an impressive fall camp. He’s built more like Webb, so it would make sense to see him play some snaps as his replacement.

It’s going to be exciting to see if either of these true freshmen are able to see the field, because there’s definitely a big opportunity with the current tight end room.