With the football season coming to an end, it’s time for the Ducks to hit the transfer portal to fill in some much-needed positions following the departures of multiple star players to the NFL and transfer portal. The Daily Emerald breaks down all of Oregon’s latest transfer portal additions to the Ducks’ defense.

Koi Perich – Safety/Wide Receiver – Minnesota

With the departure of star safety Dillon Thieneman to the NFL Draft, the Ducks’ secondary needed a boost. Enter Minnesota safety Koi Perich. Perich is coming off his second season with the Golden Gophers, where he had 82 total tackles, two pass deflections, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown.

Perich also got reps playing wide receiver, kick and punt returner. He caught seven passes for a total of 89 yards and had five rush attempts for a total of 9 yards. Perich returned 19 kickoffs for a total of 499 yards, with his longest return being 93 yards. Perich brings versatility to a Ducks team that lost many players in the portal and is seeking its next big star on defense.

Carl Williams IV – Safety – Baylor University

Carl Williams IV had a difficult season in 2025 after sitting out for almost the entire season with a meniscus injury. In 2024, Williams had a solid year, picking up 35 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass deflection. If Williams can stay healthy, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him contributing as a part of a new Ducks’ secondary.

Aaron Scott Jr. – Cornerback – Ohio State

Aaron Scott Jr. is coming off a mediocre season with the Buckeyes after only putting up
nine total tackles this season. Scott saw much more action in his sophomore year than in his freshman year, but still saw limited action this year. Scott could be a solid addition to an Oregon secondary that has lost four corners to the transfer portal, but he’ll have to prove he can develop and adapt to new defensive coordinator Chris Hampton’s schemes.

Jerome Simmons – University of Louisiana at Monroe – Defensive Tackle

Following the departure of five defensive linemen to the transfer portal, the defensive line room was struggling and looked to ULM defensive tackle Jerome Simmons. He played eight games this past season and racked up 10 total tackles and a pass breakup.

Simmons stands at 6’4” and 340 pounds, and brings much-needed depth and size to the dwindling defensive line room.

D’Antre Robinson – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Defensive Tackle

Another addition to the defensive line room is former Tar Heel D’Antre Robinson. Robinson had a solid first season at UNC following his transfer from the University of Florida last off- season. In 2025, he recorded 22 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss,
one forced fumble and four quarterback hurries.

Robinson saw action both on the inside and outside of the defensive line, but struggled against pass blocking in multiple matchups. He has solid upside and adds more depth behind Bear Alexander and A’Mauri Washington.

Bleu Dantzler – Oregon State University – Defensive End

Following a redshirt season with the Beavers, where he only appeared in four games, Bleu Dantzler is heading south from Corvallis to join the Ducks. Dantzler is a former three-star recruit out of Chandler, Arizona. In his four games this past season, he recorded one solo tackle against Pac-12 opponent Washington State. As a senior in high school, he recorded 11 sacks and 30 solo tackles as well as three forced fumbles.

With the return of edge rushers Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei, it’s unlikely Dantzler will see much action as a starter, but he is someone to look out for in this year’s spring game.