Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks have found themselves in the spotlight—but not for a positive reason. Already reeling from their blowout loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl, the team now faces fresh controversy.
Just days after parting ways with wide receiver Ryan Pellum, who entered the transfer portal, the Ducks are once again in the headlines. This time, it’s the same Pellum who’s making waves, but for all the wrong reasons. The 19-year-old has been arrested in Springfield, Oregon.
How Ryan Pellum’s Promising Career Took a Dark Turn
Former Oregon WR Ryan Pellum’s future looked bright after his freshman year, with plans to embark on a new chapter in college football. However, fate seemed to have other plans. On January 8, Pellum was arrested in Springfield, Oregon, on charges of assault with a firearm.
The incident reportedly occurred on Christmas Day in Long Beach, California. Pellum is accused of pistol-whipping a person, causing a head injury that required stitches, and allegedly firing two rounds in an unknown direction.
Known by his full name, Ryan Tristan Chance Taylor, Pellum hails from Long Beach. He’s the nephew of Don Pellum, a former longtime Oregon assistant coach who played for the Ducks in the 1980s. With a stellar high school career as a two-sport star and a four-star recruit, Ryan Pellum had scholarship offers from powerhouse programs like LSU, Georgia, and Michigan. Unfortunately, his promising reputation couldn’t shield him from the consequences of his actions.
The arrest warrant was initially issued in Long Beach, but Pellum was taken into custody in Eugene’s neighboring town, Springfield. On January 9, an unknown individual posted his bail, according to KEZI. The incident has also resurfaced discussions about Oregon’s troubled history with off-field controversies.
Oregon Ducks and Their History of Off-Field Issues
Pellum’s arrest is not the first time an Oregon Ducks player has faced serious legal trouble. In 2019, former Ducks star Colt Lyerla was sentenced to over two years in prison for assaulting and strangling his girlfriend. This marked another low point in Lyerla’s troubled life, which had been plagued by substance abuse and petty crime.
Lyerla’s troubles began in 2013, shortly after he left the Ducks program on October 6. Just two weeks later, on October 23, he was arrested for cocaine possession. Although he later pleaded guilty, the legal issues effectively ended his NFL aspirations.
Similarly, the Ducks’ former linebacker Kiko Alonso made headlines in May 2011 when he was arrested for burglary and trespassing. Then-head coach Chip Kelly suspended Alonso, adding another chapter to the Ducks’ off-field controversies.
While the current Ducks team under Dan Lanning is trying to move past these incidents, they still lag behind programs like Georgia when it comes to managing player conduct.
Error fetching related posts: No related posts found.
Error fetching related posts: No related posts found.
