​The Oregon Ducks are already dealing with several transfer portal departures, and one of the top remaining portal targets could announce his destination soon. Oregon freshman designated hitter Naulivou Lauaki Jr. has named three finalists on TikTok: Georgia, Florida, and Texas A&M. There is no announced timeline for his decision, but the contenders are clear.
Oregon has seen many of its top players leave via the transfer portal, largely due to limited NIL resources compared with SEC programs. Catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus became the first to depart, committing to Mississippi State. Freshman outfielder Angel Laya has also drawn interest from SEC schools such as Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU.
Lauaki hinted at his top three on TikTok, narrowing his options to Florida, Georgia, and Texas A&M. In the wake of Laya’s exit, Lauaki’s departure from Eugene became more likely, though not unexpected. As a freshman, Lauaki hit .321 with 14 home runs and 37 RBIs, becoming a key part of the lineup in the second half of the season. While his power would be a loss for Oregon, his potential absence on the mound adds to the blow, since Oregon initially recruited him for his strong fastball. After missing a season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, he returned as a designated hitter in his redshirt-freshman year. In 2027, the plan was for him to return to the mound in a bullpen role as a two-way player for Oregon, but those plans are now uncertain. Georgia, Florida, and Texas A&M are recruiting Lauaki for his powerful bat, making him a valuable addition for any of the three SEC programs. The Gators and Aggies both lost at home in regionals, while Georgia led the nation in home runs but fell short in the College World Series.
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