Oregon football has secured a significant addition as they gear up for their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Cornerback Theran Johnson, a standout transfer from Northwestern, has committed to the Ducks, according to On3. Johnson is regarded as one of the top defensive backs in the transfer portal.
Johnson earned All-Big Ten honors this season and was ranked as the No. 3 cornerback in the portal by On3 recruiting services. In 2024, he recorded 40 solo tackles, two interceptions, and 10 passes defended. Over his three seasons with Northwestern, Johnson accumulated more than 100 career tackles and three interceptions.
This commitment comes as Oregon, the No. 1 seed in the CFP, prepares for a first-round bye after clinching the Big Ten championship. The news is a boost for Ducks fans following the recent departure of outside linebacker Emar’rion Winston, who entered the transfer portal on Saturday after registering four solo tackles this season.
Dan Lanning is trying to lead Oregon football to its first national title in years
Oregon football has achieved an impressive 13-0 record this season, capped off with a Big Ten championship victory over Penn State. This accomplishment is particularly notable given that the Ducks just joined the conference ahead of the 2024 season, alongside UCLA, USC, and Washington. Among the newcomers, Oregon has stood out as the most successful, and much of that success is credited to head coach Dan Lanning.
In only his third season leading the Ducks, Lanning has built an extraordinary resume, winning 35 of his 40 games at Oregon. Now, he stands on the brink of an even greater achievement—guiding the Ducks to their first national championship in the College Football Playoff. Oregon, the No. 1 seed, awaits the winner of the first-round game between Ohio State and Tennessee. The Ducks already defeated Ohio State earlier this season, giving them confidence heading into their next matchup.
Lanning’s rapid rise in coaching is remarkable, considering he had no prior experience as a college head coach before taking the reins in Eugene. His success has sparked speculation about a potential jump to the NFL, making this playoff run possibly his last chance to secure a CFP title at Oregon. The Ducks narrowly missed the playoffs last year after falling to Washington in the Pac-12 championship game.
The winner of Oregon’s quarterfinal game on January 1 will advance to a semifinal matchup against Arizona State, Texas, or Clemson. With three wins standing between the Ducks and a national championship, the stakes have never been higher for Lanning and his program.
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