Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla, a former five-star recruit from Hillsboro High, is leaving the football program for "personal reasons" the school said in a release Sunday evening.

Lyerla played in three games this season and had two catches for 26 yards and three rushes for 17 yards and a touchdown. The junior was listed as the No. 1 tight end on the Ducks depth chart, but he missed the Ducks' last game in Colorado to serve a one-game suspension for what head coach Mark Helfrich termed a "violation of team rules.''

Lyerla also missed the Tennessee game after he missed practices because he was ill.

Lyerla told the university website that he and Helfrich left on good terms.

"I love everyone at Oregon; everyone's on good terms, I believe,'' Lyerla told the university website. "Just for my own benefit, it was time to move on.''

Lyerla told the website he does not plan to transfer to another school. He will pursue a professional career.

Freshman Johnny Mundt and sophomore Pharaoh Brown are expected to see more playing time in Lyerla's absence.

Lyerla has not returned a phone message.

Last year, Lyerla missed nine days of fall camp for personal reasons, but returned to the team and scored seven touchdowns - six receiving and one rushing. He is considered an NFL talent.

The release from the University of Oregon:

EUGENE, Ore. – University of Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla has informed head coach Mark Helfrich he is leaving the team for personal reasons.



The Hillsboro junior did not accompanying the Ducks to Boulder, Colo., for yesterday's 57-16 win over the Buffaloes in addition to missing a victory earlier in the year against Tennessee in Eugene.



The 2012 honorable mention Pac-12 all-conference selection had caught two passes for 26 yards in three games this season and finishes his Oregon career with 34 receptions for 565 yards and 11 touchdowns.



--Jason Quick