Oregon Ducks Eyeing Potential Transfer Portal Addition: Could Carnell Tate Be Next?

The Oregon Ducks have firmly established themselves as a national powerhouse under head coach Dan Lanning, excelling on the field and off. The Ducks are not only competing for conference championships but also consistently pulling in top-tier recruiting classes and dominating the transfer portal.

This offseason, Oregon has already landed some major talent through the portal, including Tulane’s Makhi Hughes (No. 1 RB), Purdue’s Dillon Thieneman (No. 1 safety), Nevada’s Isaiah World (No. 1 offensive tackle), and USC’s Emmanuel Pregnon (No. 1 offensive guard). But could the Ducks be gearing up for yet another big-name addition?

A Social Media Hint Sparks Speculation

Recent social media activity from Oregon’s future starting quarterback Dante Moore has fueled rumors about a potential new target: Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. Moore reposted an image from Tate on Instagram, captioned “One of dem 1s,” sparking curiosity among fans and analysts alike.

While this could easily be dismissed as a harmless post, there may be more to the story. On3’s Pete Nakos recently reported that a team has offered Tate a $1 million NIL deal to enter the transfer portal. When connecting the dots, it’s not hard to imagine Oregon being a strong contender for Tate’s services.

Why Carnell Tate Makes Sense for Oregon

The Ducks are already stacked at wide receiver but are losing key contributors like Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden to the NFL this offseason. While star wideout Evan Stewart will return to Eugene, the Ducks are relying on younger, less experienced players such as Kyler Kasper, Justius Lowe, Jeremiah McClellan, Jurrion Dickey, and Dakorien Moore to step into larger roles in 2025.

Adding an established playmaker like Tate would provide immediate production and leadership to Oregon’s receiving corps. During his two seasons at Ohio State, Tate appeared in 28 games, recording 70 receptions for 977 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers are even more impressive when considering he shared a crowded wide receiver room with stars like Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Jeremiah Smith. A move to Oregon could give Tate the opportunity to become a featured weapon in Lanning’s offense.

The Waiting Game

For now, everything remains speculative, as Tate has not entered the transfer portal. However, with NIL rumors swirling and Oregon’s track record of successfully recruiting top-tier talent through the portal, this is a storyline worth monitoring.

Should Tate decide to transfer, the Ducks would likely be one of the first programs to call. With Dante Moore seemingly expressing interest and Oregon’s high-powered offense offering a prime platform, Eugene could be the perfect destination for Tate to showcase his skills and elevate his NFL draft stock.

Stay tuned as the offseason unfolds, and don’t be surprised if Oregon makes another splash in the portal. If Carnell Tate does decide to test the waters, the Ducks will undoubtedly be ready to pounce.