Oregon Ducks open 2017 spring football

Quarterback Terry Wilson Jr. throws a pass during UO's spring practice on April 5.

(Sean Meagher/The Oregonian)

Redshirt freshman Oregon quarterback Terry Wilson is transferring after spring term, he announced Friday evening on social media.

Sources tell me RS freshman QB Terry Wilson Jr. is transferring from Oregon. Wilson informed Willie Taggart of his decision this morning. — Jen Beyrle (@JenBeyrle) April 14, 2017

After Wilson was absent from Friday morning's practice, which was UO's sixth of spring, The Oregonian/OregonLive first reported that Wilson was seeking a transfer. A UO athletics spokesman said head coach Willie Taggart would "address the situation" following Oregon's Saturday scrimmage at Jesuit High School. The source told The Oregonian/OregonLive's Jen Beyrle that Wilson informed Taggart of his decision to transfer Friday morning.

Later, Wilson addressed his transfer on Instagram.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Wilson began spring practices at Oregon last week primarily playing with UO's second team during 11-on-11 drills. On Monday and Wednesday this week, redshirt sophomore Travis Jonsen took reps with the second unit while Wilson and true freshman QB Braxton Burmeister waited their turns.

Before Friday's practice inside the Moshofsky Center, when Wilson was absent, receiver Darren Carrington described the quarterback position battle as "a good competition between Justin and Travis Jonsen."

A dual-threat quarterback from Del City, Oklahoma, Wilson enrolled early at Oregon in time for spring practices a year ago and during his first season, he watched classmate Justin Herbert assume the starting job.

On April 7, Wilson said his first college season taught him "how to have patience and lift the guys up and be a team player" and that it was "great" watching Herbert. As with all highly rated quarterback recruits who don't play immediately, Wilson heard the transfer talk, but he said he "cut that off" quickly.

"I just love this place," Wilson said last week. "I love Oregon, I love the guys. I love the coaches now, I loved the coaches back then and this is just a great place we have here."

Wilson decommitted from Nebraska in 2015 and flipped to Oregon. He played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in high school before enrolling in Eugene.

-- Andrew Greif

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