EUGENE -- Redshirt junior safety Khalil Oliver has left the Oregon Ducks football program.

Oliver started the first game of the 2017 season for Oregon and finished his Ducks' career with 73 tackles in 23 appearances.

Oliver was injured in Oregon's 77-21 win over Southern Utah and hadn't played since.

In an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, Oliver said he was thinking about transferring even prior to injuring his ankle in Week 1.

"This is something that had to do with a lot of other things," Oliver said. "I want to leave the program on a good note and I want my teammates to focus on their year. All I can say is I left for many reasons and I'm happy about the decision I made and I'm excited for the next opportunity."

Oliver said he hopes to graduate during the winter and play in the 2018 season as a graduate transfer. He said he hopes to get his eligibility from this season back, which would give him two remaining years of eligibility.

Oliver said leaving Oregon wasn't an easy decision, but it was one that he ultimately felt was best for himself.

"Once I made the decision I knew it was the right one," he said. "It was in no way easy to make, especially when you consider all the things I've done here at the university -- the people I've met, the staff, they've been phenomenal. They are some of the best people you'll ever meet."

Oliver said the news of his transfer has been met with support by his now former teammates.

"None of them have turned their backs on me and I really appreciate that," he said.

Senior Tyree Robinson and true freshman Nick Pickett have started for Oregon the last two weeks at safety. Mattrell McGraw and Billy Gibson back them up on this week's depth chart.

*The Oregonian/OregonLive's Andrew Greif contributed to this report.

-- Tyson Alger

talger@oregonian.com

@tysonalger