Oregon star running back Travis Dye enters transfer portal, mulls return

New Oregon coach Dan Lanning already has to deal with replacing star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is destined to be a top pick in this year's NFL Draft. 

Now, it looks like he might have to replace one of his stars on the other side of the ball, too.

Ducks running back Travis Dye entered the transfer portal on Friday, per multiple reports. It does not mean he's leaving Eugene for good necessarily, as The Oregonian's James Crepea reports that Dye is still considering a return to Oregon for his senior season.

Dye rushed for 1,271 yards in 2021, ranking him 19th among FBS players and second in the Pac-12. He also finished second in the conference in rushing touchdowns with 16 and was tied for second in yards per attempt at 6.0.

Over four seasons with the Ducks, Dye has rushed for 3,111 yards and 21 touchdowns. He's also hauled in 83 catches for 869 yards and eight touchdowns through the air.

Lanning, 35, took over as Oregon's new head coach after helping Georgia to its first national championship since 1980, as he served as the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator for the last three seasons.