Oregon Ducks cornerback Rodrick Pleasant has entered the transfer portal after two seasons in Eugene. The former four-star recruit compiled five tackles for the Ducks, including just one during the 2024-25 season.
With spring practices coming to a close for Oregon, Pleasant is now looking for a new home. What programs could he land with?
Where Could Rodrick Pleasant Transfer?
As the eighth-highest-rated cornerback in the 2023 recruiting class, Pleasant secured over 30 offers across the FBS and FCS levels. Could he reconnect with those coaching staff that expressed their belief in him out of high school, or will he opt to continue his career close to his hometown of Gardena, CA?
We’ll explore all options that Pleasant may exhaust and predict five landing spots for the talented yet unproven former Duck.
Colorado Buffaloes
Pleasant reeled in the most notable FCS offer with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Their former head coach is Deion Sanders, who now heads the Buffaloes. A reconnection between the two could benefit both in numerous ways.
Pleasant would learn firsthand from an All-Pro NFL cornerback in Sanders, with the main goal of reaching his potential at the position and being an impact player for Colorado. Team-wise, the Buffaloes are enduring the departure of star cornerback Travis Hunter to the NFL.
There is a void at the position, and while there are players slated to step up, Pleasant would be an excellent depth piece who, with his immense talent, could grow into a starter.
UCLA Bruins
The Bruins were one of Peasant’s top choices in his initial recruiting cycle. He visited the campus officially a month and a half before committing to Oregon.
UCLA’s current defensive coordinator, Ikaika Malloe, was on the staff during that visit in December of 2022 as the special teams coordinator. Head coach DeShaun Foster was also on the staff as a running backs coach at the time, potentially sparking another conversation due to the relationships that were potentially built.
UCLA is also very close to Pleasant’s hometown, which is presumably one of the main reasons he took the visit and seriously considered going there. He would be a solid addition to a Bruins secondary that needs improvement after allowing 244.7 passing yards per game, which is good for 98th in the country.
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns offered Pleasant back in 2022 and could reach back out to Pleasant, as defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and head coach Steve Sarkisian remain in their same positions.
Texas is seeing off-star cornerback Jahdae Barron, who is set to be selected for the 2025 NFL Draft. The secondary is littered with inexperience, which could warrant bringing in a more accomplished player.
But if Sarkisian and Kwiatkowksi are looking long-term, Pleasant still possesses the traits that made him a four-star cover man and could develop into a starter with further seasoning.
USC Trojans
USC should emerge as an option for Pleasant due to a couple of key reasons. First, similar to UCLA, it’s close to his hometown of Gardena, CA. Additionally, the Trojans’ coaching staff offered Pleasant out of high school and could aim to recruit him once again.
While head coach Lincoln Riley is still the head coach, defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn has only been in the position for two seasons but is familiar with the area after serving in that role for UCLA.
Another string that the Trojans could pull is that their track team has enjoyed success throughout its history, winning 26 NCAA titles. Pleasant competes on the track team at Oregon and could opt to continue his track career at his next university.
Arizona State Sun Devils
Another one of his previous offers out of high school, the Sun Devils are seemingly putting together an extremely talented roster and fueling their development with competition. Although the coaching staff is different in the de incredibly, be enticing for all recruits.
KEEP READING: 5 Transfer Portal Landing Spots for Boise State LB Andrew Simpson
Arizona State’s top two playmakers in the secondary are both juniors, but the secondary is littered with inexperienced players beyond them. Pleasant would presumably have a chance to compete for a depth spot right away.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
