They're good players who have worked hard for their opportunity, but Oregon has already lost an entire unit in the transfer portal, 15 percent of their total snaps have departed, including 14 four-star players,
Monday Jayden Limar signed at Washington. Washington! Roger Saleapaga and Terrance Green announced decisions to enter the portal, joining Blake Purchase, Xadavien Sims, Tionne Gray, Ashton Porter and Jericho Johnson on the defensive line.
Clearly Oregon has made a strategic decision. They're paying premium money to retain stars like Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, Bear Alexander, and A'Mauri Washington. They've held on to Jamari Johnson and Poncho Laloulu. They picked up safety Koi Perich, slot receiver Iverson Hooks and Dylan Raiola from the portal.
They're thinking hard about where to put their money.
The intensity of the portal demands skillful evaluation and recruitment
But they're letting go of some of the role players, so far a total that's reach 25 players. The roster will have to be rebuilt. It makes some of Dan Lanning's core values, connection, commitment, growth and toughness, a bigger challenge to achieve.
The culture enters a phase of regrowth. With so many players in the portal around the country, that core can be rebuilt with undervalued role players, but that will require skillful evaluation and scouting. Depth is critical in a 16-game season.