The loss of eight reserves along the Oregon Ducks' defensive line via the transfer portal in January was well covered, as the Ducks return a star quartet of starters. They then added depth in the portal, positioning themselves to be solid along the defensive line this fall.

But that's not to say that the talent that walked out the door was easy to stomach for head coach Dan Lanning and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton. One of the highest-impact defenders among those eight departures was Tionne Gray, who landed with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Gray was named by The Athletic's Sam Khan Jr. as the 14th-best transfer portal defensive lineman, a list that's highlighted by Miami's Damon Wilson II and LSU's Princewill Umanmielen. Here's what Khan had to say about the former Duck:

"Gray played in a rotational role last season (275 snaps), but he showed a lot of promise, given his massive size and strength," he wrote. "He has no problem occupying multiple offensive linemen and holding the point of attack in the interior defensive line. Gray and fellow transfer Brewu will give Notre Dame an impressive defensive tackle duo going into 2026."

As a redshirt freshman in 2025, Gray registered 18 total tackles and impressed behind starters Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington. He has a massive 6-foot-6, 336-pound frame, allowing Gray to take on multiple blockers and allow opportunities for his teammates.

He would've commanded an even bigger role in 2026 for the Ducks, but not as big of a role as he'll fill with the Fighting Irish, where he's expected to start at defensive tackle.

Gray's situation is simply another instance of the talent up and down Oregon's roster, where there ultimately isn't enough snaps to go around and make everyone happy. While it may seem like a negative in the short-term, as a bevy of Ducks departed in the portal, it should act as a positive of the recruiting work of Lanning and Hampton that a rotational piece like Gray is headed to start at Notre Dame, another premier program in college football.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Former Oregon DL Tionne Gray expected to blossom at Notre Dame