Season In Review: WR/TE

The Oregon Ducks take on the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on September 23, 2023 (Eric Evans Photography)

Photo by: @EricEvansPhoto

01/12/24 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley

The Ducks had not one but two receivers in 2023 break the school record for receptions in a season.

By: Rob Moseley

Reviewing Oregon's 2023 season and looking ahead to spring drills.

2023 ROSTER
WR: Troy Franklin, Jr.; Kyler Kasper, RFr.; Jurrion Dickey, Fr.; Ashton Cozart, Fr.
WR: Tez Johnson, Jr.; Kris Hutson, Jr.; Darrian Anderson, RFr.; Preston Alford, RFr.; Micah Williams, Jr.
WR: Traeshon Holden, Jr.; Gary Bryant Jr., So.; Josh Delgado, Jr.; Justius Lowe, RFr.; Andrew Walker, Fr.
TE: Terrance Ferguson, Jr.; Patrick Herbert, Jr.; Casey Kelly, Jr.; Kenyon Sadiq, Fr.; Peter Burke, RFr.; Kaden Ludwick, RFr.; Landen Shepard, RFr.; Travis Brashear, Fr.; Zach Grace, Fr.

Starters: For more than 30 years, Bob Newland's single-season UO record of 67 receptions in 1970 stood the test of time. When Samie Parker finally broke it in 2003, it was another seven years before Jeff Maehl matched his record total of 77 in 2010. Fast forward 13 years, and that record was broken not once by twice in 2023. First Troy Franklin pushed the record to 81 in this past season's Pac-12 Championship game, for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns, arguably the best season ever by a UO wideout. And then in the Fiesta Bowl it was Tez Johnson surpassing Franklin's total by catching 11 passes to reach 86 receptions on the season, for 1,182 yards with 10 touchdowns.

With Bo Nix enjoying an historically efficient season as UO quarterback, strong chemistry with his receiving corps was a major factor. He and Franklin built on the dynamic they established in 2022, and the connection with Nix's childhood friend Johnson was apparent from the moment they were reunited. Terrance Ferguson caught another 42 passes to lead the tight end group, while Franklin and Johnson were complemented by a big target in Traeshon Holden and a shifty new addition in Gary Bryant Jr. Holden and Bryant combined to catch 67 passes for 894 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Terrance Ferguson Steven Jones

Reserves: While the receiver rotation mostly relied on a tight core, the Ducks utilized their depth at tight end to employ a versatile attack. Patrick Herbert had a breakout season as a big-play threat, averaging 13.1 yards per reception on his 15 catches for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Newcomer Casey Kelly was a physical presence at the line of scrimmage who also caught two touchdown passes, and freshman Kenyon Sadiq was a dynamic option who scored his first career touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl. At receiver, Kyler Kasper was a regular in the two-deep while also playing special teams.

Developmental squad: The health of the regulars at receiver meant the Ducks could employ a really talented group with the "look" squad, including veterans Kris Hutson and Josh Delgado and freshman Jurrion Dickey getting reps with the travel squad as well as that unit. Justius Lowe was limited by injuries much of the season, but there was further depth on the "look" team from receivers Darrian Anderson, Ashton Cozart, converted running back Preston Alford and Andrew Walker, as well as tight ends Peter Burke, Kaden Ludwick, Landen Shepard, Travis Brashear and Zach Grace.

2024 SPRING PREVIEW
Veterans: Terrance Ferguson, Sr.; Tez Johnson, Sr.; Patrick Herbert, Sr.; Traeshon Holden, Sr.; Gary Bryant Jr., Jr.; Kenyon Sadiq, So.; Kyler Kasper, So.; Jurrion Dickey, So.; Justius Lowe, So.; Darrian Anderson, So.; Preston Alford, So.; Andrew Walker, RFr.; Kaden Ludwick, So.; Travis Brashear, RFr.; Zach Grace, RFr.
Newcomers: Dillon Gresham, Fr.; Jeremiah McClellan, Fr.; Ryan Pellum, Fr.; Jack Ressler, Fr.; Roger Saleapaga, Fr.; A.J. Pugliano, Fr.

What to Watch: Though Franklin opted to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, the Ducks otherwise are set up well for next season with the return of Ferguson, Johnson, Herbert, Holden and Bryant, among others. This spring will be a chance for guys like Dickey and Sadiq to build on the experience they got this past fall. They'll be pushed by some really talented newcomers; freshman receiver Dillon Gresham enrolled in December to participate in Fiesta Bowl practices, and he was joined this month by classmates Jeremiah McClellan, Ryan Pellum and Jack Ressler. And the Ducks welcomed a couple of newcomers at tight end as well for this spring, freshmen Roger Saleapaga and A.J. Pugliano.