Oregon Football Recruiting: Could Ducks Add Transfer Linebacker?

The Oregon Ducks have been busy finding players that can help in 2018 and could be on the verge of adding a fifth.

Oregon Football Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt made improvements last season under then Head Coach Willie Taggart. Oregon was close to last in the country in Defending the pass. With Leavitt and his ‘Hybrid Duck’ Defense being part of what was used, Oregon was in a more respectable position finishing the year in the middle of the pack.

Entering 2019, strength, conditioning, and fundamentals will be key to getting better. Oregon has added four Graduate Transfers and one area of need is at Linebacker. Troy Dye, La’Mar Winston and Justin Hollins will all see playing time. With the dismissal of Fotu Leaifo last week following his second arrest, Oregon has a spot to fill.

Darrin Kirkland is a Linebacker from Tennessee who is looking for a new home. He has played two seasons for the Volunteers starting in 2015. Injuries kept him off the field in 2017 according to Oregon Diehards. The last two seasons he has dealt with an ankle injury and has been recovering from a serious knee injury. The Oregon Ducks did offer Kirkland back in 2015 out of high school, but that was a different time – and a different coaching staff.

Kirkland could again be on the radar for Oregon Football. He announced on Twitter earlier this week that he is leaving Tennessee Football. He has two years of eligibility remaining and with the right fit, could find himself in a Starting Role. With Oregon Football working with Veteran players, that could be sooner rather than later if Kirkland decides he wants to be in Eugene.

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The Oregon Football Recruiting Class has commit Mase Funa. The addition of Darrin Kirkland would bring key backup experience to the position as the coaching staff brings Funa into the fold.