Oregon freshman defensive lineman Rutger Reitmaier’s time with the Ducks is over before it even officially began. Over the weekend, Reitmaier confirmed that he was leaving the program in order to be closer to his home in Nashville, Tennessee.
The incoming freshman was a U.S. Army All-American and the No. 10 defensive tackle in the country according to 247Sports.com. Reitmaier had been participating in spring drills and played in the spring game. Many expected him to play a key role coming in off the bench in his first season.
Reitmaier had committed to Oregon back in June of 2016 when Brady Hoke and Mark Helfrich were still around, but Reitmaier originally stuck with the Ducks after Willie Taggart and his crew took over.
The news comes just a day after it was announced that defensive lineman Rex Manu will not play in 2017 due to medical reasons.
Our friends over at Anchor of Gold, SB Nation’s Vanderbilt website, REALLY REALLY want Reitmaier to join his hometown school, which wouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities if he cited being closer to home as a reason for leaving Oregon.