Though the weekend is in full force, as well as the barrage of Oregon Big Ten content, the Oregon football team is focused on the season ahead.
The fourth fall practice was not available to media members for attendance, but receiver coach Junior Adams and co-defensive coordinator Chris Hampton made themselves available for questions after the session.
This year, Adams signed a one year extension with the Ducks, securing his position on the team through January of 2026. He’s also the second-ranked recruiting coach in the nation according to 247 Sports, with the only coach currently ranked above him being Alabama’s offensive line coach, Chris Kapilovic. Given Adams’ success, there’s a compelling reason for him to stick with the Ducks.
“Well, I think everything starts with Dan Lanning,” Adams said. “He’s one of the best I’ve been around when it comes to that (long term results). And I think what he put on film the last few years, it’s attractive and at the end of the day this is University of Oregon, right, and just a place to be.”
Advertisement
As for his desired number of athletes in the receiver room, Adams is more focused on current performance. He claims that has yet to be discussed.
“No, we haven’t. We haven’t discussed it yet,” Adams said. “Obviously we’re worried about the now and where we’re at. And we have discussed numbers yet.”
Though numbers haven’t been discussed, Adams is simply impressed with the current comradery of his fifteen receivers.
“The biggest thing to me that stands out is how connected we are,” Adams said. “The room is super talented and everybody’s about the people in that room.”
Last year, injuries plagued the receiver room throughout the season. Troy Franklin suffering a shoulder injury during the Pac-12 Championship game against Washington. Gary Bryant Jr. suffered a leg injury while playing against Oregon State. Justius Lowe missed most of 2023.
Advertisement
Adams spoke to Lowe’s progress specifically when it comes to facing down an injury.
“Justius Lowe was a good example of the process of working,” Adams said. “He’s getting better every day. He’s working at it. Most importantly, he’s confident. He’s gotten a lot better in his fundamentals and his technique. He’s working on his craft, you know, after hours, not only when we’re supposed to be in the building, and he’s playing with a smile on his face.”
Adams also spoke about Bryant Jr. and his journey back to the field.
“Gary’s made some strides, obviously, with his fundamentals as far as the release package. He’s playing inside he plays outside. Gary has a high football IQ in Gary’s glued to that room,” Adams said. “There’s a lot of guys in there and lean on Gary. Gary’s a vet. I’m pretty excited. He’s made plays in all three positions for us as camp so far and excited to be dependent on the outside.”
Speaking of injuries, freshman Jurrion Dickey suffered an injury during the spring game, but is now back to receiving repetitions on the practice field. Dickey also infamously changed his controversial 99 jersey number to 13 this year, something Adams seems pleased to see.
Advertisement
“My goal for Jurrion, it’s just the day to day one. Yeah, he did get his jersey number changed – Thank goodness. And two is just the day to day like what does everyday look like? Can you be consistent? We talked about being a pro and Jurrion, he’s making a lot of strides. He’s making a lot of progress. I’m pretty pleased,” Adams said.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a graduate transfer from Oklahoma, continued to be a topic throughout every coaching interview. Media members and fans saw a hesitant Gabriel attempt to adapt and get comfortable with the Oregon offense during the spring game. Adams claims Gabriel’s comfort is improving and uplifting his receivers’ game.
“Those guys spent a lot of time together and Dillon does a really good job of getting the guys together during certain trips and just doing things to where they can connect,” Adams said. “And the continuity, It’s at a good spot right now. We have four practices and I would say he’s made a play during practice, so, but all those guys are making plays. I know we’re sitting here talking a lot about the older guys, but I mean even the younger guys you got Dylan Gresham, you got Jack Ressler, you got Ryan Pellum, you got Brady Bidwell, you got Jalen Saint Paul. All those guys have made plays and that’s the really cool thing about it. So it’s not just the older guys who are the guys at the top as some may say, but those younger guys are making plays. Kyler Kasper had a really good day yesterday.”
Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Adams admitted that adding games through a potential bid at the College Football Playoff, incorporating traditional games with a Big Ten schedule, and the demand of a new conference can allow the younger talent he mentioned to get more field time and older receivers to get more rest.
“It’s pretty cool to build depth. Those younger guys are pushing the older guys so those guys are making them better. But for the most part we’re gonna be worried about today and you know when the season comes, it’s gonna be one game at a time,” Adams said.
Advertisement
Adams then elaborated on two athletes most anticipated for this season in the receiver corp: seniors Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson, both returners for the season. Holden’s job is to work on the details.
“Details,” Adams said. “I mean, he’s gotten a lot better and I’m just getting the details as far as alignment and assignment because being consistent with it. Traeshon is the muscle in that room.”
Then there’s Johnson, who’s determined to be a leader for the Ducks after his adopted brother, quarterback Bo Nix, got drafted to the Denver Broncos.
“Tez’s done a good job because the guy this offseason, I would get random texts at seven o’clock in the morning or at night. Just clips of him in the mall one time doing a route break drill or doing releases. So he’s doing a really good job of one, trying to really work on his release game in his route package. He does a good job now he comes to the building early and he’s studying and film getting his eyes right as far as coverage recognition,” Adams said.
Adams credited Oregon coach Dan Lanning for his help in bettering the receiver room.
Advertisement
“Dan Lanning has been a really big help for those guys. Being a defensive minded head coach and being a defensive coordinator in his career. He comes and sits in the wide receiver meetings. You’ll see the guys go sit next to him at times and ask him a question which I think is really good or he’ll take over the floor and start coaching on the defense with what we’re seeing and it’s been really helpful for us,” Adams said.
The University of Oregon’s Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to approve a $1.55 billion operating budget for the next fiscal year.
But they asked university leadership to return with an amended proposal by Dec. 15, when more details about future budget cuts will be known.
FILE — The Board of Trustees recently approved next year’s budget for the University of Oregon. The vote comes several weeks after the school’s president announced that he wants the university to reduce its annual budget as revenues and out-of-state enrollment decline.
Brian Bull / KLCC
Advertisement
The vote comes several weeks after University of Oregon President Karl Scholz announced that he wants the school to reduce its annual budget by around $65 million.
At a trustees meeting Monday, Scholz said the estimated budget shortfall for next year is just around $23 million. But he said out-of-state enrollment is below historical norms for the second year in a row, and it’s unlikely to bounce back.
“One year can be an aberration. Two years is a pattern,” said Scholz. “And I believe we have to treat it as a new reality.”
Scholz said in May that discussions about the budget would happen over a six-month period. He said no final decisions about cuts would be made over this summer.
On Monday, UO Senate President Dyana Mason told trustees that the Senate had approved a new process to allow for community feedback in the cost-cutting process.
Advertisement
Mason said the provost will work with the deans on budget proposals, finding “clear rationale” for why programs are considered for elimination.
The provost would then bring those proposals to the Senate Committee for Academic Modifications—which includes staff, faculty and students—for feedback.
Once the plans are nearly finalized, the Senate could then hold a period for public comment.
Mason told trustees that a six-month timeline is better than the three months that frustrated some staff last year, but she recommended taking however much time is necessary.
“The worst situation would be rushing forward to make decisions without appropriate evidence, data, feedback from the people that are most in the know about the impact on our students,” said Mason.
Advertisement
UO’s Board of Trustees Chair Steve Holwerda said that every week that university delays the decisions could cost them millions of dollars.
Nathan Wilk is a reporter with the KLCC newsroom.This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.
It is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit our journalism partnerships page.
Sign up today for OPB’s “First Look” – your daily guide to the most important news and culture stories from around the Northwest.
Oregon’s juvenile justice system has been reshaped in recent years by a sweeping reform law that changed how the state handles minors accused of serious crimes.
Senate Bill 1008, which took effect in 2020, ended automatic transfers of juveniles into adult court and eliminated life without parole sentences for juveniles. The law also created “second-look” hearings and established parole eligibility after 15 years for certain offenders who committed crimes before turning 18.
To help explain the law and its impact, KVAL’s Frannie Pedersen put together a timeline video tracing the history of Senate Bill 1008, from the passage of Measure 11 in 1994 to the reforms that later reshaped Oregon’s juvenile justice system.
Advertisement
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
The video breaks down how the law changed, why lawmakers pushed for reform, and how SB 1008 continues to influence Oregon’s justice system today. Viewers can watch the full video for a detailed timeline and explanation of the changes.
PORTLAND, Ore. — A New Jersey man was sentenced to federal prison last Friday for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
Mark T. Eager, 34, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.
“This defendant showed a blatant disregard for human life by trafficking fentanyl across the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Bradford. “My office will continue to pursue those who profit from poisoning our communities, and we will use every available resource and partnership to combat fentanyl trafficking and keep Oregonians safe.”
“This investigation brought together law enforcement agencies from across the nation,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “Homeland Security Investigations special agents from Portland, Newark, and Houston contributed to the case, along with the Portland Police Bureau and HIDTA HIT officers, who were instrumental in identifying Eager. His 11-year sentence sends a clear message: no matter where you are in the country or the world, if you attempt to sell narcotics online to Americans, we will find you.”
Advertisement
“Fentanyl trafficking poses a grave threat to communities across the United States, and Homeland Security Investigations is committed to working with our partners to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks responsible,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Lucia Cabral-DeArmas. “This case demonstrates the power of interagency collaboration under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, leveraging resources from across the country to hold traffickers accountable and protect the American people. We will continue to pursue those who endanger lives through the distribution of dangerous synthetic opioids, and we remain steadfast in our mission to safeguard our communities from the violence and instability caused by transnational criminal organizations.”
“By following this offender’s digital trail, Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners nationwide executed federal search warrants, dismantled an active dark web fentanyl packaging operation and recovered deadly amounts of fentanyl, thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency, and a trove of electronic devices and packaging materials,” said HSI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas. “This case is a powerful example of how coordinated, data-driven investigations can disrupt dangerous networks and help protect our communities from lethal synthetic opioids.”
According to court documents, from November 2023 through June 2024, Eager and his co-conspirator sold fentanyl on the Dark Net and Telegram. Eager operated as the vendor WRSEH10 and marketed the fentanyl as “China White Synthetic Heroin.”
In June 2024, HSI agents executed search warrants on two residences associated with Eager in Kearny, New Jersey, and seized over 360 grams of powdered fentanyl, counterfeit M30 pills, drug ledgers, cellular phones, two computers, and drug packaging consistent with three deliveries that were sent to Oregon.
On September 4, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Eager with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl.
Advertisement
On February 4, 2026, Eager pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
HSI Portland and HSI Houston investigated this case with assistance from HSI Newark, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Interdiction Task Force (HIT). Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey assisted the U.S. Attorney’s in Oregon in obtaining the search warrants that were executed in Kearny.
