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Oregon vows to get Jamari Johnson more involved after UCLA loss

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning has made it clear that tight end Jamari Johnson must play a far more prominent role in the offense after a disappointing outing against UCLA last weekend. Johnson, a Louisville transfer who excelled in 2025 with 32 catches for 510 yards and three touchdowns, was the Ducks' top tight end entering this season.

He started strong with a touchdown in the season opener against Boise State and set career highs with seven catches and 119 yards against USC, becoming a key target for backup quarterback Dylan Raiola. However, Johnson was nearly invisible in the UCLA game, managing just one catch for 13 yards, raising concerns about his involvement in the offense.

Lanning emphasized the need for explosive playmakers like Johnson to stay engaged, noting that the Ducks' offensive struggles extended beyond just Johnson, as other key contributors like wide receivers Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart also saw limited action. The Ducks' offense sputtered against UCLA after a strong performance against USC, with Raiola struggling and the team's offensive line underperforming.

Lanning has made it clear that Johnson’s lack of targets is unacceptable and must improve moving forward.

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