After a recovery day Thursday, Oregon returned to the practice field today ahead of their second scrimmage of fall camp scheduled for tomorrow. Following the practice tight end coach Drew Mehringer, Terrance Ferguson, and Kobe Savage spoke with media about their preparation and state-of-mind near the end of the third week of fall camp.

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DREW MEHRINGER EXCITED ABOUT TE PROGRESS

Oregon Ducks tight ends coach Drew Mehringer is enthusiastic about the progress his unit has made during fall camp, praising the leadership and development among both veteran and younger players.

Mehringer emphasized the importance of senior leadership, highlighting the significant role played by veterans Patrick Herbert and Terrance Ferguson in setting the tone for the tight end group. "Patrick Herbert is the epitome of toughness," Mehringer said. "He’s not a big talker, but he leads by example, rarely misses assignments, and plays through injuries. His presence sets a standard in our room that pushes everyone to step up."

The Ducks have a young squad this season, but Mehringer remains confident in the talent and character of the players, crediting head coach Dan Lanning for bringing in the right mix of individuals. "Coach Lanning has done an unbelievable job of bringing in the right guys. Talent is a prerequisite, but character and intelligence are just as important," Mehringer noted. "It's fun to integrate these guys into our culture and see what they can do."

Mehringer pointed out that younger players like Kenyon Sadiq have made significant strides, particularly in their physical development and understanding of the game. Sadiq, who joined the team weighing around 218 pounds, now tips the scales at 240 and has shown a strong commitment to his preparation and growth. "Kenyon’s been awesome. He’s learned how to prepare his body and has grown both in knowledge and in his relationships within the room," Mehringer said.

Despite the emphasis on senior leadership, Mehringer stressed the importance of giving younger players opportunities to prove themselves, especially in the Ducks’ two-spot practices. "Our program is geared to develop you. If you're good enough, you're old enough," Mehringer said, underscoring the value of these practices in accelerating the development of less experienced players.

Looking ahead, Mehringer expressed confidence in the depth and versatility of his tight end group, even beyond the established veterans. He mentioned the emergence of players like Casey Rodgers and Zach Grace, both of whom have shown promise in stepping up when needed. "No matter the formation—whether we're in 13, 12, or 11 personnel—we’ll find a way to score. We’ve got plenty of good players," he asserted.

As the Ducks continue their preparations for the upcoming season, Mehringer's focus remains on daily improvement rather than long-term results. "The biggest thing is what can we get better at today," he said. "If we focus on today, I think we’ll be more than fine."

With a blend of seasoned leadership and promising newcomers, the Ducks’ tight end group looks poised to make a significant impact this season.

Terrance Ferguson Praises Teammates, Highlights Growth and Team Unity

Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson couldn't hide his enthusiasm when discussing the development of his teammates during fall camp. Ferguson, who has emerged as a key leader for the Ducks, spoke highly of several players, highlighting their work ethic, growth, and the tight-knit bond within the team.

Ferguson singled out tight end Kenyon Sadiq, a redshirt freshman, as someone who has shown tremendous progress. "Man, he's done a great job," Ferguson said. "He's super talented, but it's his ability to come in and work, getting the reps that he does, and just attacking and taking advantage of it. I've been super impressed with him, and I'm super excited for him. His ceiling is super high."

The tight end room has been a focal point for Ferguson, who emphasized the importance of connection among the group. "The biggest thing, the big word, is connection," Ferguson noted. "A lot of the young guys have come along, and they've been better than I was when I was that age. Me and Pat [Herbert] joke about it because those guys have come in, learned the offense faster, and they're great athletes. They've progressed through spring ball, summer workouts, all the way to fall camp, and just seeing them get better every day. We're a really tight group, and we take pride in that."

Ferguson also reflected on the leadership role he and Herbert have embraced, crediting the mentorship he received as a freshman for his desire to invest in the younger players. "It starts when I was a freshman. We've always had guys in our room, and our room's always been close. We always had leaders who made sure the tight end room was a connected room. We've been through a lot together, and making sure that passes on from generation to generation is important. The tight end room is family."

One player who has caught Ferguson's attention is freshman Roger Saleapaga, whom he described as a "great athlete" with a strong work ethic. "Roger's been really fun to watch. He picked up the game, picked up the offense so fast. He attacks every day, and he's a humble kid. He's an effort guy, really passionate about the game. It's been really cool to watch him, and he's impressed a lot of people."

As for his own development, Ferguson has focused on improving his blocking, particularly at the point of attack. "There's been things I've been trying to get better at, and it's point-of-attack blocking. Some people don't want to see it, but that's what wins football games in the trenches. That's something I've been really focusing on and getting better at."

Ferguson believes that the wealth of talent on Oregon's offense will make the Ducks a formidable team this season. "When you have so many guys that can make plays, it just opens up the offense, opens up the play-calling. Coach Stein does a great job of using his players to his advantage. We've got guys like Tez, Trey, Evan Stewart, and the tight end and running back rooms are strong too. What's impressed me the most is those guys have really bought into being a team. Everyone wants the ball, but they've done a great job of blocking for each other and taking pride in each other's success."

As the Ducks prepare for the upcoming season, Ferguson's leadership and the unity within the team could play a crucial role in their pursuit of a national championship. With the growth of young players and the depth of talent across the roster, Oregon fans have plenty to be excited about as the season approaches.

Kobe Savage Embraces Leadership Role in Oregon's Defense

Oregon safety Kobe Savage is embracing his role as a leader in the Ducks' defense, particularly after a productive fall camp that has seen him grow into the team's new system. Despite being a veteran, Savage has had to adjust to the terminology and schemes introduced by coaches Tosh Lupoi and Chris Hampton.

"I feel like I made a big leap from spring ball," Savage said. "Coming into fall, I’ve got a lot of air in my wings, and it’s been a productive camp."

Savage, who suffered a minor concussion in the spring game, assured that his recovery process was quick and without lingering effects. His focus remains on the field, where he has been impressed by the physicality and relentless effort of the defense, particularly the front seven.

"I’ve never seen a front seven run to the ball like this," Savage noted, highlighting players such as Jeff Bassa, Jestin Jacobs, and Jordan Burch. "It’s crazy, and I’m ready for y’all to see it."

The defensive unit, which includes several new transfers, has been coming together not only through on-field practice but also through off-field bonding activities facilitated by the coaching staff. Savage emphasized the importance of connection, especially with the team’s shared goal of winning a national championship.

"Coach Lanning and Coach Tosh do a good job of bringing us together outside of the facilities," Savage said. "We all have one goal, and that’s to win a national championship at Oregon."

Savage has also enjoyed competing against Oregon's offense during practice, describing it as an elite unit with no noticeable drop-off between the first and second teams. "It’s just a tremendous amount of talent," he said, listing standout players like Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart, and Noah Whittington.

Working alongside fellow transfer safety Tysheem Johnson, who joined Oregon from Ole Miss, has been a highlight for Savage. The two have developed a strong bond on and off the field, ensuring they trust each other in the heat of the game.

"I trust him back there," Savage said of Johnson. "It’s a big tip to keep that trust, and we’ve been building it every day."

The physical nature of Oregon’s fall camp, which Savage described as "very physical," is seen as a key attribute as the Ducks prepare to enter the Big Ten Conference next season. Savage believes this physicality will serve the defense well in the highly competitive conference.

Savage is also keeping a close eye on the development of true freshmen Aaron Flowers and Peyton Woodyard, who have impressed him with their quick grasp of the defensive scheme. Savage predicts both will contribute on the field this season.

"I’ve seen tremendous growth in Aaron and Peyton," Savage said. "They’re very smart guys, and I’m excited to see their development."

As the Ducks inch closer to the season opener, Savage is confident that the veteran experience in the secondary will translate into success on the field. He emphasized the importance of communication and being on the same page, especially with so much experience in the group.

"I feel like it’s showing up a lot at practice, but it definitely needs to show in games," he said.

With a strong fall camp under his belt and a defense that’s coming together, Savage is poised to help lead the Ducks as they aim for a national championship in 2024.