The Oregon Ducks football team has experienced its second player departure through the transfer portal, with freshman outside linebacker Jaxson Jones becoming the latest to enter. The announcement was confirmed by The Oregonian/OregonLive on Sunday night, following an initial report by Hayes Fawcett of On3.
Jones, a native of Yuma, Arizona, joined the Ducks as part of the highly anticipated 2024 recruiting class. As a four-star recruit, he was ranked the No. 31 edge rusher in the country and the No. 398 overall player by 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Despite his high school pedigree, Jones did not see game action during the 2024 season, as he redshirted. Now, as he enters the transfer portal, Jones will have four full years of eligibility remaining, making him an appealing prospect for programs seeking to add a talented player to their roster. His departure is a setback for Oregon’s defense, as they lose a promising young talent at a key position.
This marks the second time in recent weeks that the Ducks have been affected by the transfer portal. Freshman offensive lineman Jac’Qawn McRoy was the first Oregon player to enter the portal just last week. McRoy, like Jones, had the potential to contribute in the future but will now pursue his collegiate career elsewhere. The departures are part of a growing trend in college football, where the transfer portal has become an essential part of team-building, often leading to the loss of key players even before they fully establish themselves in a program.
For Oregon, these losses represent a challenge, as the team works to maintain its competitiveness within the highly competitive Pac-12 and national college football landscape. Both Jones and McRoy were highly regarded recruits who were expected to play significant roles in the future, so their departures will likely prompt questions about the Ducks’ depth and player retention moving forward.
The loss of two players in such a short span raises concerns, but it also provides an opportunity for other players on the roster to step up. Coach Dan Lanning and his staff will need to address these changes quickly and ensure that the team remains on track for future success despite these early departures.