Koa Ka'ai
EUGENE — On Oregon's first play from scrimmage Saturday, Oregon quarterback
flung the ball over the middle for a 13-yard gain to starting tight end Koa Ka'ai.
Wait ... Koa Ka'ai?
The 6-foot-4, 251-pound redshirt freshman from Honolulu wasn't necessarily as surprised as others when he hauled in the first pass of the game from Mariota, a fellow Hawaii native. He said he was prepared to start, if his named happened to be called first.
But not only was it the first catch of the day for Ka'ai, it was the first pass he had ever caught in a game at any level of football.
"It felt good," he said of his 13-yard reception. "I caught the ball and looked to the sideline for the next play. Just play football."
He finished with two catches for 18 yards in the Ducks' 63-14 victory over Tennessee Tech.
Born Lake Keawekoaikamakaokalani Ka'ai, according to his UO bio, Ka'ai didn't play offense in high school, coming to Oregon last year as a four-star defensive end prospect.
Before the start of spring practices, Ka'ai was asked by UO coach Chip Kelly and defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro if he would be open to switching positions with Christian French, who came to UO last year as a tight end.
Both Ka'ai and French were on board, but it wasn't always a smooth transition. Learning how defenses would cover him was the biggest adjustment, Ka'ai said.
"I'm not going to lie, it's been a whirlwind," Ka'ai said. "There have been a lot of different things thrown in here and there, but I've enjoyed the challenge a lot. I have a lot to improve on, for sure, but that's what I like: having a lot to improve on and trying to get better every day."
Second-year sophomore Colt Lyerla is Oregon's most experienced tight end. Of his 13 career catches, seven have gone for a touchdown. Oregon opened the season with four players — Lyerla, Ka'ai and true freshmen Pharaoh Brown and T.J. Daniel — listed as potential starters.
"There's a lot of guys who are going to play tight end for us," Kelly said Saturday. "That whole position is a work in progress, but I'm pleased that we got four guys at that spot."
Ka'ai has been pleased so far, too.
"I'm exited about the future," he said. "I'm only a freshman; I think about that all the time. I'm just excited about the future, but also just focusing week to week and just trying to improve."
The links:
when No. 3 Oregon and No. 22 Arizona meet Saturday night at Autzen.
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