QB Jake Rodrigues to Transfer from Oregon Ducks

Unable to lock down the backup job behind Marcus Mariota, redshirt sophomore quarterback Jake Rodrigues announced on Monday his intention to transfer from Oregon.

"Football wasn't working out here and that is why I am leaving," said Rodrigues, according to Brianna Amaranthus of Comcast SportsNet Northwest. "I am not leaving because of how people treated me, or how much it rains here. I am leaving simply based on this football decision."

Rodrigues was a 4-star recruit and the No. 7 pro-style passer in the class of 2012, per the 247Sports Composite. After breaking his fibula in high school and redshirting in 2012, he lost the No. 2 job out of camp to less-heralded prospect Jeff Lockie last fall and was hoping to usurp it this past spring.

Lockie outperformed Rodrigues in the spring game, however, completing 7-of-12 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Rodriguez completed just 7-of-18 passes for 66 yards and an interception.

In the wake of those developments, Rodrigues' decision to transfer did not come as a surprise, per SB Nation's Dan Rubenstein:

According to Amaranthus, Oregon has granted Rodrigues the right to transfer anywhere he would like. If he moves to another FBS program and sits out the required season, per NCAA transfer rules, he would have two years of eligibility remaining when he returns in 2015.

And even though sitting behind Mariota did not allow for much playing time, Rodriguez thinks it will help him wherever he goes next.

"It might be hard being behind Marcus, but it might have been the best thing that ever happened to me," he said, per Amaranthus. "In my opinion he is the number one quarterback in the nation right now. I guarantee he will be the first pick in the NFL draft next year. I learned so much and my quarterback game grew tremendously behind him.

We'll keep you updated when we know to where he's transferring.

Follow Brian Leigh on Twitter: @BLeighDAT