Oregon Football: Is Ducks QB Bryan Bennett on the Cusp of Transfer?

The Oregon Ducks lost quarterback Darron Thomas last season when he left for the NFL draft. That decision created a quarterback controversy, which may cause the Ducks to lose another quarterback in the next coming days.

Bryan Bennett was last year's backup behind Thomas. He threw a total of 46 passes for 369 yards and six touchdowns. Once Thomas left early, it was a great possibility that Bennett would move up the depth chart and become the starter for the football team.

But things quickly changed when redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota was named the starter for the season opener against Arkansas State. Now, there are rumors flying around that Bennett may have another school on his mind and that he is considering leaving Oregon.

UPDATE: Tuesday, August 28 at 7:50 p.m. ET by Ben Chodos

After talking his situation over with Chip Kelly, Bryan Bennett does not appear to be leaving the University of Oregon.

The Oregonian's Aaron J. Fentress reported the news via Twitter.

"

Sources now saying Bryan Bennett is likely staying at Oregon.

— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) August 28, 2012"

Bennett will still be a Duck, although this means that his career as a backup will continue for now.

----End of Update----

Via Rob Moseley of The Register-Guard:

"

I asked Bryan Bennett if he's still a Duck. Said that's what he's about to go discuss with Chip. I don't believe he practiced today.

— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) August 28, 2012"

"

Heard from source this morning a 'key' player was leaving Ducks, and confirmed this afternoon that this ex-player was referring to Bennett.

— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) August 28, 2012"

Bennett is a 4-star recruit from the 2010 class. He picked Oregon over schools such as Boise State, Pittsburgh and Wyoming.

But while Bennett may be weighing his options, Adam Jude of The Oregonian says that a transfer is not yet a done deal:

"

Bennett is here. Source indicates that Bryan Bennett is considering a transfer, though "not a done deal."

— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) August 28, 2012"

Both quarterbacks proved that they are extremely talented throughout fall camp, and it was one of the closest quarterback competitions in the country.

Here are a few words that head coach Chip Kelly shared last weekend about the quarterback position. (via Oregonlive.com):

"

If someone’s disappointed, that’s their problem. You don’t look at it as a disappointment; you look at it as a challenge. That’s the way we’ve always looked at it because, again, it’s competition every day. ... I’ll say this: I think Bryan Bennett would start for a lot of universities in the country. We’re very fortunate to have him on our team.

"

As Kelly noted, Bennett could start for many other universities. And if these rumors are true, he may be doing just that in the next few days.