Will Stein vows to give Kenyon Sadiq more touches in 2025

College football season has been in hibernation for almost two months now, but as spring football season begins across the country, the sport is starting to stir from its slumber. The Oregon Ducks are once again projected to be one of the best teams in college football next fall, but the long road to realizing that potential starts with the Ducks' 15 spring practices.

Oregon lost a lot of talent to the NFL this offseason, and although the Ducks have no shortage of talent in their program, finding success with an inexperienced roster will have its challenges. On Saturday, after the Ducks' second practice of the spring season, Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein spoke about those challenges, highlighting a handful of returners, including Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who will provide the Ducks with precious experience.

"Kenyon Sadiq is one of the best players in the country," Stein said. "I'm glad we've got him back."

That's high praise, but in his young career, Sadiq has shown that there aren't many things he can't do on a football field. Anyone questioning Sadiq's ability can direct their attention to this touchdown from Oregon's opening drive of the 2024 Big Ten Championship:

AN UNREAL HURDLE FROM OREGON'S KENYON SADIQ TO GIVE THEM THE LEAD ON THE OPENING DRIVE OF THE GAME 😱 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oC5rtFIUmV
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 8, 2024

Sadiq is entering his third season at Oregon, and despite never playing as the Ducks' No. 1 tight end, Sadiq wasted no time letting the world know how good he is. In 90 snaps as a freshman, Sadiq caught five passes for 24 yards and a TD. In 2024, he was much more productive, catching 24 balls for 308 yards and two TDs. And as the Ducks' top TE next fall, expect those numbers to fly up.

"It's my job to make sure he's getting as many touches as he can every single game," Stein said. "He's put on 15 pounds of muscle. He's nearing 250 and still looks the same speed. He has great hands. I think he's a better point of attack, on-the-ball tight end than people believe, just because he's so dang strong. And now he's got a great understanding of what we're doing offensively."

In 2024, Oregon threw to its tight ends far more than in the first two years of Dan Lanning's tenure, and it was a shift that paid dividends for Oregon. Not only did the Ducks' tight ends ramp up their receiving production, but Terrance Ferguson, Oregon's top TE last season, was often Dillon Gabriel's first look in crunch-time, gotta-have-it situations. Ferguson and Sadiq are very different players, but expect the Oregon offense to rely on Sadiq in the big moments the way it relied on Ferguson last year.

"Now he's really in the limelight," Stein said. "He's the upperclassman in that room, he's kind of the old head. Talk about leadership, Kenyon's somebody that I'm expecting to be one of those leaders on our team. He's a very special player. I mean, I think, I really do believe he's one of the best players in college football. So it's our job to make sure that he shows that ability this season."

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks OC Will Stein calls TE Kenyon Sadiq one of nation's best

Topics

Dan Lanning looking for young leaders to emerge during spring practice

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning says young players need to step up into leadership roles during 2025 spring football.
Yahoo Sports - 19h
Indiana vs. Oregon prediction, odds, start time: 2025 Big Ten Tournament picks, best bets by proven model

SportsLine's model simulated the No. 23 Oregon Ducks vs. Indiana Hoosiers in the 2025 Big Ten Tournament second round on Thursday 10,000 times
CBS Sports - 2d
WATCH: Oregon State Spring Football Interviews Day 6

PROMO: Join BeaversEdge.com and get 30 DAYS FREE!Hear from Oregon State head coach Trent Bray, offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson, and inside linebacker Dexter Foster as they talk spring football ...
Yahoo Sports - 11h
Michigan State vs. Oregon odds, prediction, time: 2025 Big Ten Tournament picks, best bets from proven model

SportsLine's model just revealed its college basketball picks for the Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday afternoon
CBS Sports - 1d
Five best 2025 NFL free agency moves: These teams and players shine

Here are the five best moves after the first wave of free agency. One calculated risk. An offensive line fortified. A star goes West.
Yahoo Sports - 20h
Oregon Ducks looking to move forward and learn from Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State

After a brutal loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, Dan Lanning says the Oregon Ducks are learning from it, and moving on to a new season.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
WATCH: Video from Arkansas' 4th spring practice

Watch 11 minutes of video from Arkansas football's fourth spring practice of 2025 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.Visit our homepage for more coverage of the Hogs' spring ...
Yahoo Sports - 13h
Bear Alexander's commitment and buy-in turning heads for Oregon Ducks

Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Bear Alexander, a transfer from USC, is impressing early on with his buy-in and work ethic in Eugene.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
Dan Lanning explains reasoning behind hosting spring games at Oregon

Dan Lanning explains reasoning behind hosting spring games at Oregon
Yahoo Sports - 2d

Will Stein vows to give Kenyon Sadiq more touches in 2025

Topics

Related

Dan Lanning looking for young leaders to emerge during spring practice

Indiana vs. Oregon prediction, odds, start time: 2025 Big Ten Tournament picks, best bets by proven model

WATCH: Oregon State Spring Football Interviews Day 6

Michigan State vs. Oregon odds, prediction, time: 2025 Big Ten Tournament picks, best bets from proven model

Five best 2025 NFL free agency moves: These teams and players shine

Oregon Ducks looking to move forward and learn from Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State

WATCH: Video from Arkansas' 4th spring practice

Bear Alexander's commitment and buy-in turning heads for Oregon Ducks

Dan Lanning explains reasoning behind hosting spring games at Oregon

More from Yahoo Sports

Murray State and Belmont play for MVC Championship

Murray State and Belmont play for MVC Championship

Lando Norris holds off Max Verstappen in chaotic Australian GP finish

Arsenal vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news

Seahawks sign former Saints cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles

More in Sports

Men's Bracketology: The Mountain West will see four teams -- for now

Murray State and Belmont play for MVC Championship

Murray State and Belmont play for MVC Championship

Lando Norris holds off Max Verstappen in chaotic Australian GP finish

Arsenal vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news