(Reportedly)
Less than two weeks ago, a report surfaced that, after much consideration, Bryan Bennett had decided to remain at Oregon. That report came after Bennett was all but out the door in August before staying, as well as late last month that he was once again strongly considering a transfer.
According to DuckTerritory.com, and confirmed through two sources close to the situation, Bennett has decided once again to leave the Ducks. Bennett will transfer to Southeastern Louisiana, the website says, where he will enroll as early as this week.
As Southeastern Louisiana is an FCS program, Bennett will be eligible to play immediately -- provided the decision to transfer sticks of course. At his new school, Bennett will get the opportunity to play the quarterback position; the website notes that Bennett would likely have been moved permanently to the defensive side of the ball had he stayed at Oregon, probably as a linebacker.
Oregon has yet to comment on Bennett’s future with the football program.
Bennett had been considered the heir apparent at the quarterback position after Darron Thomas inexplicably left UO early for the NFL. However, Marcus Mariota performed well during spring practice last year and was officially named the starter toward the end of camp last August. Given the fact that Mariota was a first-team All-Pac-12 performer and is just a redshirt freshman, the path back to a starting job was all but blocked for Bennett.
The redshirt sophomore Bennett attempted just 83 passes the past two seasons, including 37 in 2012. A four-star member of UO’s 2010 recruiting class, Bennett was rated as the No. 15 pro-style quarterback in the country.
UPDATED 2:44 p.m. ET: Oregon confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Bennett has decided to transfer from the Ducks.