Bleu Dantzler always dreamed of coming to the Pacific Northwest to play football in Oregon. Part of that dream came true when he signed with the Oregon State Beavers out of high school. After a season in Corvallis, the whole dream is coming together in Eugene with the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks showed interest in Dantzler during the recruiting process out of Arizona powerhouse Basha High School, but ultimately the two didn't come together. However, Dantzler stuck in the mind of Oregon edge rushers coach Kam Araghi, who was part of the initial pursuit. Once Dantzler became available again, Araghi and the Ducks didn't waste any time. "We actually had (Dantzler) at camp as well, and he was somebody that we were monitoring," Araghi said. "When we saw him jump in the portal, we had a spot open. We got in contact with him, brought him up for his visit, and we loved everything about his mindset, his attitude. We kind of knew what his tape was going to be, just watching his high school tape, and he's really been a fantastic addition to our program.” Dantzler, like many of Oregon's recruits in this day and age, grew up watching the Ducks and dreaming of donning the flashy uniforms and making plays inside Autzen Stadium. After appearing in just one game with the Beavers as a freshman, Dantzler took a leap of faith in January, entering the transfer portal. It didn't take long for Araghi and Dantzler to reconnect, and the Ducks scored his commitment just four days later. “Really just took a bet on myself," Dantzler said. "I entered the portal. Coach Kam was one of the first guys to hit me up, and I thought it was a no-brainer, kind of off the rip. It was kind of late in the transfer portal window, so I didn't want to be one of those guys who were stuck in it late. So you know he hit me up. He's an Arizona guy, just like me. It was kind of an easy one from there.” At Basha, Dantzler was a known terror to opposing quarterbacks, racking up 11 sacks and 24 quarterback hurries as a senior. He didn't get many chances to showcase that same ability on the edge as a freshman last season, but he did in his first opportunity with the Ducks. In the spring, Dantzler put on a show, culminating in a performance in the spring game that included 1.5 sacks. Oregon has plenty of depth on the edge in Nasir Wyatt, Elijah Rushing and five-star freshman Tank Jones, but Dantzler has all the tools to make an impact this season as a backup. “He has a phenomenal get-off in his pass rush, and even with his stature not being the biggest guy, he's strong," Araghi said. "He does a really good job of striking and being powerful in the C-gap, and being able to win versus base blocks, reach blocks, playing a 6-technique. I'm really excited about Bleu, and I'm looking for him to bring more consistency each day. So that's what I'm challenging him with, and what I love about Bleu, he accepts the challenge.” Coming to Oregon from Oregon State was a big shift for Dantzler, not only in terms of competition, but in terms of game planning and routine as well. Just because he didn't get on the field in Corvallis doesn't mean he's unfit to make an impact in Eugene. Sometimes it just comes down to the situation, coaching staff, and overall fit. Since transferring in the winter, it's been a whirlwind ride for Dantzler to catch up in Oregon's defense. The spring was all about figuring out everything new. The summer was about getting physically ready for the season. Fall camp is about showing the coaching staff that took a chance on him that the gamble will pay off. “It was a learning process to say the least," Dantzler said. "There were a lot of mistakes on my part that were made, you know, just trying to get a daily schedule, daily habits, kind of trying to learn this system. And then the spring game came around, the call sheet shortened up for us a little bit, and I was able to just go out there and play. I think I did a good job, and I think that gave me a lot of confidence going into the summer window and up until fall camp.” Transitioning from high school to college is difficult for many freshmen, including stars at a power school like Basha. Dantzler has swapped out Basha's forest green for Oregon's brighter apple green look in practice, and the Ducks are seeing the returns on their portal investment already. Since he started putting on the football pads at a young age, Oregon was the place he wanted to be, and now he's there. From racking up sacks in the spring game to taking a post-practice stroll through the fountain with Matayo Uiagalelei, Dantzler has made himself at home in Eugene.
“Going back to middle school days, this was my dream school," Dantzler said. "Just to be here, they've met every expectation. I mean, we got the new indoor field being built right now, so we're in like the secondary weight room. But I mean, it's crazy that they even have secondary weight rooms. You know what I'm saying? So it's a blessing to be here. I think every expectation has been met for sure.” In a loaded edge rushers room, led by Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, Dantzler might not get to make an impact on every down this season. But time to develop and work behind some of the nation's best can only benefit the emerging sack artist. Fall camp and the scrimmages to come only present Dantzler with another opportunity to expand upon his dreams as a Duck. Now is the time to make the most of his chances. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions. This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Bleu Dantzler's bet on himself paying off at dream school Oregon