Depth at tight end looked to be a concern for the Ducks heading into 2025, but the Duck fans got some major positive news during Big Ten Media Days.
Both head coach Dan Lanning and star tight end Kenyon Sadiq revealed that Roger Saleapaga is fully recovered from a November knee injury and is full-go for August camp.
In an exclusive interview with Erik Skopil of 247Sports, Sadiq said,
"Roger has done a great job of attacking his rehab process and he looks amazing right now. He's moving really well. He should be full-go in fall camp. He's a guy who I expect to have a bigger role this season and play really well."
Before the update, Oregon's tight end room was down to Sadiq, a likely Big Ten breakout star after two touchdowns in the championship game, Louisville transfer Jamari Johnson, who is recovering from a leg injury of his own suffered last October, redshirt freshman A.J. Pugliano, a four-star from Medford who did not appear in a game last year, two former walk-ons in Zach Grace and Kade Caton, plus true freshman Vander Ploog.
4⭐️ tight end/wide receiver and priority #Baylor target Roger Saleapaga (@RogerSaleapaga6) continues to show why he is one of the most wanted pass catchers in the 2024 class. #SicEm
— Grayson Grundhoefer (@GrayGrundhoefer) August 19, 2023
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Saleapaga's return gives tight end coach Drew Mehringer and offensive coordinator Will Stein the flexibility to employ three tight end sets, as well as the depth to withstand a potential 16-game season.
A former four-star from Orem, Utah, the 6-4, 235 Saleapaga played in 11 games last season before getting hurt. He made two tackles on special teams and recovered the pivotal onside kick in the 32-31 win over Ohio State in October.
The Ducks won his commitment over Tennessee, Auburn and Utah among others. As a junior he lined up wide or flexed at Orem, latching on to 78 passes for 1,267 yards and 14 touchdowns. In nine games as a senior he caught 46 balls for 671 yards and five TDs.
His high school film shows him to be an athletic receiver who high-points the ball. Like Sadiq and former Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson he was a high school basketball player, ball skills that help make contested catches and shield off defenders.
Salaepaga played in the Polynesian Bowl All-Star Game in January 2024.
At Duck Sports Central, former Rivals recruiting analyst and columnist Scott Reed wrote, "Saleapaga was a very fluid looking tight end last season and there was a real thought that he was going to be an elite tight end alongside Sadiq before the injury."
By attacking his rehab the sophomore gives the Ducks more options at tight end while answering a crucial area of concern going into the season. With leading returning wide receiver Evan Stewart being out, the the tight ends can be a security blanket for an inexperienced quarterback, big targets over the middle for easy completions.