One day after Oregon wideout Dont’e Thornton announced his intention to enter the transfer portal, Oregon tailback Byron Cardwell did the same.

The sophomore running back posted an Instagram story on Tuesday saying goodbye to Oregon. “I’m thankful and appreciate those who kindly supported me while at the University of Oregon,” he wrote in part.

Despite offseason portal additions of Bucky Irving (Minnesota) and Noah Whittington (Western Kentucky), Cardwell was viewed as the favorite to take over the Ducks’ starting job in the backfield. As a freshman in 2021, Cardwell ran 61 times for 417 yards and three scores, flashing promise and an every-down kind of ability.

Things just never materialized in 2022.

He played in the team’s first two games, logging four carries for 28 yards against Georgia and then seven for 48 and a score against Eastern Washington a week later. And that was it.

“Continue to evaluate where we’re at on Byron,” coach Dan Lanning said of the former 4-star back in late-September. “When he’s able to do everything in practice and we feel comfortable about his health, then he’ll definitely be a guy that I think can help us and contribute for us.”

But the Ducks’ rotation settled into a three-man job as the year wore on. Irving and Whittington proved to be the best of the group. The former ran for 909 yards at 6.4 a pop during the regular season while the latter had 752 yards at 5.9 a tote.

Freshman Jordan James was the short-yardage specialist, finishing the regular season with 43 carries for 162 yards and five scores.

Both Irving and Whittington should be back next season as well, and the Ducks are set to add 4-star Dante Dowdell to the room.

College football’s new transfer portal window officially opens next Monday. Cardwell is the third Duck to announce his intention to enter it, joining Thornton and Seven McGee.