Offensive lineman and former Irish Matt Hegarty will join Oregon football in 2015.
The 6-foot-4½, 295 pound graduate from Notre Dame will take the place of Hroniss Grasu for the Ducks. His experience at center comes from his senior season for Notre Dame where he played center and guard for the Irish. Hegarty started 11 of 13 games in the 2014 season to lead the Irish to an 8-5 season record.
Back in March, the Aztec, New Mexico native told ESPN.com that he planned to play football at another school during his final year of eligibility in 2015. He’s able to join the Ducks thanks to an NCAA rule that allows graduated players to use their remaining eligibility at another school.
Due to a stroke early in his career, Hegarty did not see the field his freshman year. After recovering, Hegarty came back to play at ND in 2012 where he saw action in the first nine games of the season, mostly on special teams. In 2013, Hegarty appeared in 12 games and was part of the O-line that allowed only eight sacks, ranking second in the Football Bowl Subdivision in fewest sacks allowed.
Oregon football will have its first fall game September 5 against Eastern Washington at Autzen Stadium.
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