Oregon
50 returning players to watch in the 2025-26 Oregon girls basketball season
The 2025-26 winter season is getting underway, so it’s time to take a look at the top returning girls basketball players around the state.
Unfortunately, one of the obvious choices — junior wing Kaitlyn Siegner of Crane, a two-time all-state selection and Class 1A co-player of the year last year, averaging 19.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, five assists and five steals — tore her ACL during volleyball season and will miss the basketball season.
Mayenabasi Akpan, Sr., South Medford
The 6-3 center announced herself at the 6A state tournament her sophomore year, when she broke the tournament record for rebounds held by Cameron Brink to help the Panthers win the title. She was the Southwest Conference player of the year as a junior, averaging 15.6 points and 9.8 rebounds, and signed with San Diego State last month. “She had an outstanding summer with Cal Stars EYBL and was one of the most dominant rebounders statistically in the country,” said coach Tom Cole. “Her confidence has continued to grow offensively, and her athleticism is truly unique. She is able to impact the game on both sides of the ball and is one of the best athletes in the state of Oregon.”
Ayla Arnold, Sr., West Linn
Arnold was a first-team all-Three Rivers League selection last season for the Lions, averaging 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 steals.
Jordan Barlow, Sr., South Medford
The Sacramento State signee was thrust into the point guard role for the Panthers after the departure of Taylor Young to Crater, and she thrived at the position, making the all-SWC second team while averaging 7.8 points and 3.6 assists. “She has learned a lot since last year,” said coach Tom Cole. “She’s much more poised and comfortable and has improved her offensive and defensive game over the summer. Her speed, length and motor are tremendous assets.”
Olivia Bennett, Sr., Cascade
Cougars coach Glenn Norris called his 4A all-state honorable mention guard “a difference maker with her ability to score from anywhere and create shots for others.” Bennett averaged 10.1 points, three assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals in helping Cascade place fifth at state. “Improved team depth should give Olivia more opportunities to shine,” Norris said.
Ava Bergeson, Sr., La Salle Prep
The 6-1 wing recently signed with UNLV following a junior season that saw her win co-NWOC player of the year and second-team all-state honors, averaging a double-double (14.9 points, 11.5 rebounds) to go with 3.9 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.2 blocks. She has over 1,100 career points and 800 career rebounds. “Ava is the engine of our team and has been for three years,” said coach Lucas Fiorante. “She is playing free and with a new sense of confidence in her game. Some of Ava’s greatest strengths never show up in a box score, though. She is an emotional leader in all the right ways—she plays with passion, competes, and genuinely loves the game and the people she plays it with.”
Love Lei Best, Soph., Tualatin
Cameron Brink. Jazzy Davidson. We’ve been treated to some of the nation’s best talents in the metro area the past few years, and the next to come down the pike is Best, who offered a taste of what’s to come last year in leading the Timberwolves to the 6A title, averaging 15.1 points, 4.5 assists and 3.9 steals as a first-team all-state selection. “Love is the perfect point guard to lead a team,” said coach Wes Pappas. “She’s one of the best point guards in the nation. She has a super-high basketball IQ, sees the floor amazingly well and is a massively competitive kid.”
Kaylor Buse, Jr., West Linn
Buse was the Three Rivers League defensive player of the year and a 6A all-state honorable mention selection as a sophomore, stuffing the stat sheet by averaging 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.4 steals and 1.2 blocks.
Kalyn Christ, Sr., Summit
The 6-0 wing has committed to Division II University of Tampa after earning 5A all-state honorable mention as a junior, averaging 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.6 blocks to lead the Storm to the state tournament. “Kalyn has shown a lot of growth in her abilities on and off the court,” said coach Henry Rogers. “She has grown to be incredibly deliberate with the ball and makes correct reads and plays with intentionality. Kalyn is also respected deeply by all her teammates and has stepped into a role that is both encouraging and constructive.”
Carly Corder, Sr., Seaside
The Seagulls have a veteran group coming off their first 4A state tournament trip since 2017, but their “tried and true,” as coach Marla Olstedt called Corder, led the way as an honorable mention all-state selection, averaging 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and three steals in 28 minutes a game. “She has the ability to take over offensively and continues to show her leadership skills and maturity,” Olstedt said. “She has the ability to make plays on both offense and defense and can make plays for her teammates, too.”
Kaylee Cordle, Sr., South Albany
Cordle will enjoy one final season playing for her father, Marc, with the RedHawks before heading to play at Lewis-Clark State in Idaho. The 5-8 wing helped them reach the cusp of the program’s first 5A state title in March, averaging 14 points and five rebounds. “She is a senior and a veteran in our program,” Coach Cordle said. “She brings leadership and knowledge that will help us be successful.”
Peyton Daggett, Sr., La Grande
The all-state honorable mention selection averaged 8.4 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists to help the Tigers finish sixth at the 4A tournament and post their first 20-win season since 2016.
Kendall Dawkins, Soph., Tualatin
Dawkins might get lost in the shadow of some of her more bally-hooed teammates, but the 6-foot guard is a defensive stalwart in their amoeba-like press and averaged 10.4 points and six rebounds for last year’s 6A champs. “Kendall has a tremendous work ethic,” said coach Wes Pappas. “She’s a three level scorer and a tough-as-nails defender.”
Taylor Donaldson, Sr., South Albany
Donaldson has been at the forefront of the revival of two RedHawks programs, leading the volleyball team to back-to-back 5A state titles and the basketball team to within seconds of capturing its first championship in March. Now, the University of Wyoming signee looks to build off a campaign that saw her average 23 points and eight rebounds in earning first-team all-state honors. “She had a great club season over the winter,” said coach Marc Cordle. “She’s a veteran in our program.”
Rowan Evans, Sr., La Grande
The Tigers made it back to the 4A state tournament for the first time since the 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID pandemic, and now they’ll look to their top scorer and second-team all-state selection, who averaged 12 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.5 assists, to get them back after they placed sixth in March.
Ruby Foord, Jr., Beaverton
The second-team all-Metro League selection will look to help the Beavers return to the Chiles Center after a two-year absence after averaging 12 points, six rebounds and 2.1 steals a year ago.
Love Forde, Jr., Nelson
Forde is a force in the interior for the Hawks, receiving 6A all-state honorable mention as a sophomore when she averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
Ceanna Forney, Soph., Jesuit
Forney had a solid first season with the Crusaders, with the 6-5 post winning Metro League defensive player of the year and first-team all-league honors after averaging nine points, seven boards and five blocks as a freshman. “She is a true paint defender and a gifted shot-blocker who anchors our D,” said coach Jason Lowery. “As a talented post, she is the hub of our halfcourt offensive attack. Her as a post threat opens things for our offense and her teammates.”
Kiara Green, Sr., Century
Green had an immediate impact when she arrived from Hil-Hi last season, averaging 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.5 blocks and leading the Jaguars to a 15-game improvement. She signed with Howard University last month. “Kiara has been an absolute joy to coach,” said coach Eddie Littlefield. “Her growth over the summer has been tremendous, and her maturity and commitment to development have elevated everyone around her.”
Sailor Hall, Jr., Springfield
Hall was the Millers’ leading scorer last year at 16 points per game to go with 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals to make the 5A all-state honorable mention list and lift them to the sixth-place trophy at state.
Breeci Hampton, Jr., Stayton
The former Cascade transfer had an immediate impact on the eventual 4A state champion Eagles, earning second-team all-state honors running the point while averaging 13.8 points and 4.2 assists.
Reagan Heiken, Jr., Philomath
Heiken won 4A player of the year honors following a sophomore season that saw her lead the Warriors in scoring (12.5 ppg), rebounding (6.5) and steals (2.7) while shooting 52.1% from the field for the state finalists.
Camryn Herzberg, Soph., Southridge
Herzberg flashed the potential to play D-1 ball during a fantastic freshman campaign during which she averaged 15.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals to make the all-Metro League first team.
Dyllan Howell, Sr., South Medford
The third Panther to sign with a Division I school last month will join Barlow at Sacramento State after the 5-11 wing received 6A all-state honorable mention as a junior, averaging 11.1 points and four rebounds. “She had a great summer and has developed significant confidence in her ability to score from multiple places on the floor,” said coach Tom Cole. “Her defensive ability has also improved.”
Reese Jordan, Sr., West Linn
For all the talent in the Three Rivers League last season, it was Jordan who won player of the year honors, with the Washington State signee also earning second-team all-state recognition after averaging 15.8 points, six rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.3 steals to lead the Lions to fourth place at the state tournament.
Jayla Lackey, Soph., Benson
Lackey worked in the offseason to improve her strength as the 6-2 post looks to build off a freshman campaign that saw her earn first-team all-PIL honors and draw an invite from USA Basketball to participate in the 2025 Women’s U16 National Team trials.
Millie Lathen, Soph., Grants Pass
Lathen helped the Lady Cavers reach the second round of the 6A playoffs last year as a freshman, averaging 11.1 points, four rebounds and three assists as a second-team all-Southwest Conference selection. First-year coach Ethan Lackey said that an emphasis for her in the offseason was “making an impact without scoring, and she has found the ability to do that with her rebounding and on-ball defense. Millie also has great vision in the full-court, which allows our team to get out and run. She is not settling on offense; she has a will to get to the rim.”
Devan Lee, Sr., St. Helens
The Lions’ 5-7 point guard averaged 16.2 points, five rebounds, three steals and 2.3 assists while also getting her hand on four deflections to earn Cowapa League player of the year honors. She plans to major in engineering at Oregon State. “Devan is such a strong point in our program,” said coach Jillian Ross. “She isn’t just a scorer, but she is a vocal leader. Everyone wants a Devan on their team, and we are lucky enough to have her.”
Mylie Lempea, Sr., Knappa
Lempea has played an integral role in turning around a program that went eight years between winning seasons before her arrival, leading them to 60 wins in her first three seasons and back-to-back 2A state tournaments for the first time since 2002-03. The first-team all-state point guard averaged 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.4 steals as a junior. “Mylie is a tone-setter for our program,” said coach Tracie Brockey. “I love her passion for the game. She helps us live out our core covenants — unity, integrity and respect. I’m not ready for her and her classmates to be seniors.”
Sara Mangan, Sr., Southridge
The reigning Metro League player of the year and 6A second-team all-state selection signed with the University of Portland following a junior season that saw her average 17.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.6 steals to lead the Skyhawks to a sixth-place trophy at state.
Samarah Massey, Sr., Benson
Massey is one of the top unsigned shooting guards in the state coming off a junior season in which she made the all-PIL first team to help the Astros reach the 6A second round.
Alyssa McMullen, Sr., Amity
McMullen was one of the critical players who led the Warriors to the program’s first 3A state title after five previous finals appearances, averaging 14 points to earn second-team all-state honors. “Alyssa has been rock-solid for our program for three years now,” said her coach and father, Jed. “She is our long-range shooter and really helps us stretch the defense. I’m proud that she has been working on attacking the basket this offseason.”
Ries Miadich, Sr., Tualatin
Miadich is another underrated role player for the 6A state champions, earning second-team all-Three Rivers League last season when the 5-8 guard averaged 8.7 points and 2.6 steals. “She’s another strong 3-point shooter who has really developed a scorer’s mentality,” said coach Wes Pappas.
Gabi Moultrie, Sr., Wilsonville
The 5-8 guard, the younger sister of Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie, is on pace to join Jill Noe (2,003 points from 1999-2002) as the second Wildcat to score 2,000 career points after the 5A all-state first-teamer averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.7 steals and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 34.8% from deep as a junior, bringing her career total to 1,667 points. She signed with Utah Valley last month.
Mylaena Norton, Sr., Redmond
The 5-6 point guard led the Panthers to their second Intermountain Conference title in a row and a fifth-place finish at the 5A state tournament — the first time they made consecutive state appearances since 1986-87 — earning IMC player of the year and second-team all-state honors after averaging 9.8 points, three assists and 2.3 steals.
Dara Oluwafemi, Jr., Beaverton
Oluwafemi shined in her first season with the Beavers after transferring from Westview, averaging 13.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and two steals to earn first-team all-Metro League honors. “Dara means a lot to our program with her scoring and defending,” coach John Naro said of his 5-9 combo guard. “I am looking to her to lead this team by being the example on both sides of the court. I see improvements in her strength and ability to score in different ways — from driving to shooting 3s.”
Alex Padilla, Sr., Tualatin
Padilla doesn’t put up big numbers for the Timberwolves, but that’s not where the 6-1 post who recently signed with Portland State makes her bones. “Alex is the best defender in the state,” said coach Wes Pappas. “You can put her anywhere on the floor, and she will absolutely wreck the other team’s offense.”
Clara Persons, Sr., Regis
The 5-5 point guard will head to Bushnell University in Eugene to play next year, but first, she looks to lead the Rams back to the 3A playoffs (she was a second-team all-state selection for Regis as a sophomore) after helping Salem Academy win the 2A title last year, earning first-team all-state honors while averaging 15 points and three steals. “This year, she is back and was welcomed with open arms,” said second-year coach Tim Manning. “Clara is a leader by example. She is always the first one to the gym and the last to leave. She is indispensable to our team and just a great kid overall.”
Molly Rasmussen, Soph., Baker
Rasmussen helped lead the Bulldogs to a third-place finish at the 4A state tournament as a freshman, averaging 12 points and five rebounds as the 5-11 wing earned all-state honorable mention. “Molly showed a lot of growth last year as a freshman just with the experience of playing varsity basketball,” said coach Jason Ramos. “She was our most consistent performer this summer, and we saw her become more comfortable being in any situation — more assertive on the floor and essentially a real threat whenever she has the ball.”
Darissa Romero-Ah Sam, Sr., Springfield
Romero-Ah battled a bulged disc in her back for most of last season to be named Midwestern League co-defensive player of the year and earn second-team 5A all-state honors, averaging 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, five assists and 4.8 steals.
Kathryn Samek, Jr., Stayton
Samek received 4A all-state first-team recognition following a sophomore campaign that saw her average 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds for the state champion Eagles, including a game-high 18 points in their title-game win over Philomath.
Rozalyn Schmunk, Sr., Cascade
Schmunk improved from 4A all-state honorable mention selection as a sophomore to a first-team honoree last season, when she averaged 13.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals to help the Cougars place fifth at the state tournament. “Roz is a very athletic and versatile player who can fill up a stat sheet,” said coach Glenn Norris. “Her ability to play inside and out on both ends of the floor makes Roz a formidable opponent.”
Makayla Schroeder, Soph., Henley
The 6-0 post won Skyline Conference player of the year and first-team 4A all-state honors as a freshman, recording 20 double-doubles during the season and averaging 14.4 points and 12.1 rebounds to lead the Hornets to a fourth-place finish at state.
Emma Seubert, Sr., Country Christian
The Valley 10 Conference player of the year was also a first-team all-state selection, leading the Cougars to a sixth-place finish at the 1A state tournament while averaging eight points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Brooklynn Summers, Sr., McMinnville
Summers became a starter for the first time last season and blossomed as a 6-1 post complementing first-team all-state guard Macie Arzner, making the all-Pacific Conference first team while averaging 11 points and 8.8 rebounds.
Payton Starwalt, Jr., West Albany
Starwalt transferred from nearby Crescent Valley to joining the Bulldogs last year and emerged as one of the state’s top point guards, averaging 22 points — shooting 43% from distance and 90.2% at the foul line — 6.3 assists and three steals to earn second-team all-state and lead them to the 5A tournament. She has 21 Division I offers under her belt. “This player continues to impress me,” said coach Shawn Stinson. “She spends hours upon hours in the gym every week, getting stronger and becoming a great defensive player as well. She is the cornerstone of our team; she makes us go.”
Kelsey Stepleton, Sr., Vale
The Eastern Oregon League co-player of the year and second-team all-state selection averaged 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds to power the Vikings to a third-place finish at the 3A state tournament.
Nylah Vanthom, Jr., Banks
The first-team all-state point guard led Banks to within two points of a second 3A state championship in three years, also earning Coastal Range League defensive player of the year honors for the second straight year while averaging nine points, four assists and three steals last year. “She is a tremendous player on both ends of the floor and an even better kid,” said coach Nick Rizzo. “Her quickness on both the defensive and offensive ends present challenges for her opponents.”
Taylor Young, Sr., Crater
Young has been a winner at both the 6A and 5A levels, helping South Medford win a state championship in 2024 before returning home to join the Comets last season, leading them to the program’s first title while breaking the school’s single-season records for points (589; 21 ppg) and 3-pointers (57 on 37.3% shooting) to go with 3.7 assists and 4.4 steals. The Oregon State signee opened the year with 1,389 career points, then poured in a school-record 41 points in a season-opening win over Bend.
Nylah Webster, Jr., Nelson
The 5-10 combo guard is the daughter of former NBA player Martell Webster, who was picked sixth in the 2005 draft by the Trail Blazers and spent a decade in the league. Nylah was a first-team all-Mt. Hood Conference selection last year, averaging 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals for the Hawks.
Emma Zuniga, Sr., West Salem
The 5-10 wing is a two-time Central Valley Conference player of the year who earned 6A all-state honorable mention last year, when the Portland State signee averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists. “Emma is dynamic on the court, highlighted by the fact she can play all five positions,” said first-year coach Justin Duke. “Her versatility, combined with a high basketball IQ and shotmaking ability, make her one of the top returning players in the state.”
— René Ferrán is a freelance reporter for The Oregonian/Oregon Live. René grew up in Portland and has written about high school sports in the Pacific Northwest since 1993, with his work featured at the Idaho Press Tribune, Tri-City Herald, Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune, The Columbian and High School on SI. He can be reached at rferran.oregonianhssports@gmail.com
BLUE RIVER, Ore. (KATU) — The founder of a former disaster relief nonprofit is being sued for allegedly diverting nearly $837,000 in donations and grants for personal gain.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed the lawsuit Thursday against the founder and executive director of Cascade Relief Team (CRT), Marcus Brooks. In the complaint, Rayfield calls CRT “a sham.”
Brooks is accused of stealing donations and government grants meant for disaster relief following wildfires and flooding in 2020, and using it for personal expenses including casino visits, travel, vehicles, and more.
CRT was founded in 2020 and was hired for cleanup and relief services following the Labor Day Wildfires that burned over 1 million acres across Oregon.
In Blue River, an unincorporated community in the McKenzie River Valley, the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire destroyed nearly 800 homes and burned more than 173,000 acres.
I am angry that my community was taken advantage of
Just months after the fire, long-time Blue River resident Melanie Stanley said CRT stepped in and promised help to the community.
“For us, it was…like a savior at that point,” Stanley said.
Stanley was the manager for the Blue River Resource Center and worked for Brooks to help facilitate recovery efforts. She said CRT operations slowly became questionable.
“None of us knew the level at which all of this stuff that finally came out was at,” Stanley said. “We knew that there was some stuff that had started to look hinky or feel hinky, or there was just some lack of communication that was happening. There were some other things that were happening, and so we just all were kind of guarded.”
In fall of 2023 the nonprofit was reported to have run out of money, and Brooks allegedly fired staff without disclosing the organization’s financial conditions and did not notify donors or beneficiaries. Stanley was one of those people fired.
The state now claims the funds that were meant to go towards communities like Blue River, never made it out of Brooks’ hands, including donations given by Blue River neighbors.
“I am angry that my community was taken advantage of, and I am angry that they now have to worry about trusting when something else happens, because we know something else is going to happen,” Stanley said. “We hope to God it’s never anything as big or as bad as what has happened, but you know, we also have learned that groups like Locals Helping Locals…they are our foundation, and they are because they’re us.”
The state is seeking to recover the money, permanently bar Brooks from serving in a leadership role at a charitable organization and dissolve the nonprofit.
Stanley said Brooks’ actions have tainted reputations.
“We as a community and as the people from the community who helped kind of put all of these things together, we did what was asked of us,” Stanley said. “We did help clean things, and we did help get things to provide, you know, more progress and get things moving forward, and we did good work, and so I just really hope that this is not overshadowed.”
According to Stanley, Blue River’s recovery now stands at 50%.
“We will be very picky from here on out about who and what groups gets let in to help with anything,” Stanley said. “And sadly, it may be to our detriment, but he did more damage now, as far as reputations go, and for that I’m angry. I’m very angry.”
The Oregon Ducks have been progressing through the class of 2027 with hopes of landing some of their top target’s commitment on both the offense and the defense.
With many names left on the board, the Ducks have started to receive some great news, including some news from someone they have been targeting since they offered back in January of 2025.
Darius Johnson Releases His Top Four Schools
One of the Ducks top targets’ in the 2027 class at the cornerback position is Darius Johnson. Johnson recently released his top schools with Hayes Fawcett, as he is entering a crucial part of his recruitment. The four schools he has listed at the top include the California Golden Bears, Michigan Wolverines, UCLA Bruins, and the Oregon Ducks.
Johnson is one of the better cornerbacks in the country. He currently ranks as the nation’s No. 178 prospect in the country, No. 20 player at the position, and the No. 14 player in the state of California, according to Rivals. Landing his commitment would be major for any of the schools, as he is someone who could see the field early due to his size, and his growing ability to lockdown a side of the field all by himself.
More About Darius Johnson
Johnson currently measures in at 6-1 and 155 pounds, and will be someone who continues to add weight through his high school program, and will eventually have the chance to really improve his frame when he gets to college. As of now, each of the four schools has a solid chance to win its recruiting battle, but there seems to be a clear leader at this moment.
The leader for the Ducks target seems to be the Michigan Wolverines, who have the only scheduled official visit at this moment. It seems likely that the talented prospect will schedule his other official visits sooner rather than later now that he has officially cut down his list. If the Ducks want to land his commitment, they will need to get him on an official visit because they are likely trailing at this point.
What If He Committed to Oregon Today?
If he were to commit to the Ducks today, he would be the ninth commitment for the Ducks in the class of 2027. He would also be the third cornerback commit for the Ducks in the class of 2027, which is a position they have been recruiting heavily. The cornerbacks the Ducks have at this moment are four-star Ai’King Hall from the state of Alabama and four-star Josiah Molden from the state of Oregon.
Some of their other commits at this moment include four-star EDGE Rashad Streets, four-star defensive linemen Zane Rowe, and four-star EDGE Cameron Pritchett. This class is shaping up to be another top-five class if the pieces continue to fall into place for Oregon coach Dan Lanning and his staff.
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Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, after an impressive 2025 season with the Ducks, now becomes the leader at his position following the departure of star Kenyon Sadiq to the NFL.
With an Oregon offense set to return several top stars and bring in two talents at the tight end position, Johnson looks to not only improve as a leader but build off his impressive 2025 season, in which he recorded 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns.
Here’s everything Johnson had to say during his media appearance following Oregon’s scrimmage on Saturday, with the spring game on the horizon.
Everything Tight End Jamari Johnson Said After Spring Scrimmage
What He Learned From Playing With Tight End Kenyon Sadiq:
“So many, but one is training. Everybody in this facility harps on it, and it’s just a standard here. It’s like him from last year, that man strained his guts out almost every play. I just feel like I got to do the exact same thing or even more to uphold the standard.”
Stepping Up At Tight End:
“It just changed because obviously Kenyon leaving somebody has to step up and be a leader in the room, and me being one of the older guys, it just happens to be me. I just accepted that role, and I actually kind of like it, getting these young guys going, getting them in the playbook and getting them used to college football.”
Participating Again In Spring Practice:
“It feels good coming back. Feels like I have something to prove for me personally, I feel like I haven’t really done anything in college football. I feel like this year is that year for me to show everybody what I’m about.”
On Tight Ends Kendre Harrison and Andrew Olesh:
“Both good dudes, they both got that dog in them. Andrew, he came from Penn State. He’s been coming along well, getting in the playbook. Kendre, he’s a big, tall guy, getting in the playbook too. They’ve been getting after it, man. It’s been good taking them under my wing. Hopefully, we just get going this year.”
Goals and Expectations Ahead of Spring Game:
“I’ll say one expectation that we really try to harp on in the room is just going 100 percent. That’s with your effort, that’s with knowing the plays and just giving it your all. A goal is just to get in that endzone. That’s one of the goals for the tight end room right there.”
Why He Returned to Oregon:
“Like I said earlier, to me, I felt like I haven’t really done anything in college football. That was one of the reasons, and another is I wouldn’t say I’m not ready for the NFL, but like that’s pretty much what I’m getting at, is just like I have a lot of stuff to work on that’s within footwork and hand placement, block in the run game, and route details. Getting to the right depth and just touching up everything I can so when I get to the NFL, there’s none of those problems, it’s just the big problems I have to fix.”
How Reps Helped Him Improve:
“It really helped me. Last year, we ran a lot of twelve personnel at the end of the season because we had a couple of injuries, but that really helped me. This year, I feel like I’m coming in rolling off the ground. It’s just so much more fluent, and those reps really helped me with the playbook. Playbook is way easier now, and I’m getting a good feel for it.”
His Leadership Traits:
“I like to get the guys going. I have a real voice on the field, and if y’all hear me on the field, I get the guys going. I wouldn’t say I’m a vocal leader, but I lead by example. Vocal leader, probably something I need to work on.”
On New Offensive Coordinator Drew Mehringer:
“It’s been different. They’re two different people, coach (Will) Stein and coach Drew. My guy’s getting us going. I’m excited for this season.”
Supporting Dakorien Moore At Track Meet:
“Yesterday, that touched my heart, man. Just all of us going out there, and it wasn’t even just for Dakorien. It was really for Oregon. It was just more for Dakorien because we see him every day. That really touched my heart, and the connection is just unbelievable. I don’t think many people are doing that for their teammates.”
Quarterback Dante Moore’s Growth:
“That guy has his head on his shoulders at all times. He’s been growing consistently, but it’s a couple of different things. I probably can’t name them right now, but he’s been having his head on his shoulders. He’s just been on the climb.”
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