Oregon Ducks Face Defensive line Exodus as Two More enter Transfer Portal
Eugene, OR – The Oregon Ducks are experiencing notable turnover on their defensive line as redshirt freshmen Xadavien Sims and Jericho Johnson have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. This news comes on the heels of announcements from Ashton Porter and Blake Purchase, bringing the total number of defensive linemen seeking opportunities elsewhere to four.
Sims, a former 4-star recruit from Durant (okla.) High School, saw limited action in his two seasons with the Ducks, appearing in four games and recording two tackles. Ranked as the No. 245 prospect nationally and the No.25 defensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting class by the On3 Industry Ranking, Sims was also an Adidas All-American.
Johnson, hailing from Armijo (Calif.) High school, also entered the portal after playing in nine games over two years, amassing five tackles and one pass breakup. He arrived at Oregon as a 4-star prospect, ranked no. 180 nationally,No. 16 among defensive linemen, and the no. 15 player in California according to the On3 Industry Ranking, and was similarly honored as an Adidas All-American.
With Sims and johnson’s departures, Aydin Breland and Elijah Rushing remain as the only defensive linemen from Oregon’s 2024 recruiting class still on the roster. The Ducks will need to address the growing hole on the defensive line through recruiting or the transfer portal.