Former Oregon Ducks running back Travis Dye transfers to USC

Last week, Oregon running back Travis Dye surprisingly entered his name into the transfer portal.

Friday, we finally found out where Dye will play in 2022.

Dye has decided to transfer to USC, the school announced. The graduate transfer was Oregon's leading rusher (1,271 yards and 16 touchdowns) and receiver last season (46 receptions, 402 yards and two touchdowns). He earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors and helped the Ducks go 10-4 and win the Pac-12 North Division crown.

In four seasons at Oregon, Dye registered 3,111 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He joins former Stanford Cardinal running back Austin Jones, who also transferred to USC this offseason.

There was some optimism that Dye, despite entering his name into the transfer portal, could remain at Oregon. Now Dye will return to his home state of California to provide a huge boost to the Trojans' backfield.

"My love for Eugene, the University of Oregon, all of my teammates, and the Duck community has made this decision the hardest of my entire life," Dye said in his Instagram post. "I will always bleed Green and Yellow and would not be the man or the player I am today without my Duck family.

"To the fans, thank you for bringing that energy every Saturday and showing me four years why Autzen is the best stadium in the nation. People talk about their school and their fans and I can't do anything but laugh knowing what I got to experience with all of you here."

After Dye's departure, the Ducks have Byron Cardwell, Seven McGee and Sean Dollars returning in the backfield. Trey Benson entered the transfer portal and has recently transferred to Florida State.

CJ Verdell, who Dye replaced midway through last season because of injury, could still return for his final year of eligibility. He has not decided if he will enter the 2022 NFL Draft or remain with the Ducks program.

Oregon does not play USC during the 2022 regular season. But Dye could potentially face his former team if the Ducks and Trojans meet for the Pac-12 Championship in Las Vegas in December.

Contact Register-Guard sportswriter Antwan Staley at astaley@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Former Oregon RB Travis Dye transfers to University of Southern California