Ed Dickson, TE

Dickson has played defensive end, wide receiver and was a key contributor on special teams before breaking out as a tight end in 2008. Dickson averaged 14.5 yards per reception as a junior, earning second-team all-Pac-10 accolades. He improved to first-team honors as a senior, catching 42 passes for 551 yards and six scores.

Dixon leaves as Oregon's all-time receiving leader at the position with 124 catches for 1,557 yards and 12 scores.

He possesses the hands and speed of a receiver with a solid 6-5, 240-pound frame. Dickson won't provide his future NFL team with much as a blocker, but should fit right in with the new emphasis clubs are placing on matchup nightmares who can stretch defenses down the seam.

Release: Good initial quickness at the snap. Shows athleticism and is developing the technique to gain a free release off the line and get into his route quickly. Flashes good agility and a strong stiff-arm to work free at the line of scrimmage, but needs to be more consistent in this area as he is too often slowed to the point where his quarterback skips Dickson in his read progression.

Hands: Good hands and can turn and pluck the ball out of the air quickly and outside of his frame. Good underneath target that can make the grab in traffic. Can take a hit and keep the ball secure.

Route running: Good straight-line speed to challenge the seam. Good agility and balance to gain separation as a route-runner. Athletic upside in this area, but isn't asked to run many pro-style routes in this offense and will need refinement at the next level. Too often gets lazy and rounds off his routes.

After the catch: Good run-after-catch ability. Can elude defenders in space and accelerates quickly for the position. Flashes some elusiveness due to lateral quickness and has the straight-line speed to gain yardage in chunks if allowed into the open field.

Blocking: Shows nice initial pop at the line of scrimmage, but needs to develop more strength and better use of hands/leverage to sustain. Takes poor angles as a run blocker at the line and delivers mostly glancing blows downfield.

Intangibles: Versatile athlete has been a significant contributor on special teams. One of the strongest tight ends in Oregon history. Only the second tight end at the school to bench press 400 pounds, he also tied for the second all-time power clean mark for the position (341).

NFL Comparison: Dante Rosario, Panthers

Oregon's second-leading receiver continued to be a mainstay in an offensive arsenal that led the Pac-10 in scoring offense and ranked second in total offense, looming as the Ducks' lone representative on the league's first-team all-conference contingent … Caught five passes for 63 yards at Arizona, including an 8-yard scoring catch with six seconds remaining in regulation in the double-overtime win, before being held without a reception vs. Oregon State for the first time in 15 games … One of eight standouts selected as semi-finalists for the 2009 John Mackey Award, given to the most outstanding collegiate tight end in the country … After accumulating four receptions for 58 yards in his first three games of the year (including 2 for 19 yards at Boise State), tied a school record for most catches by a tight end in a single game with 11 vs. California … His 148 receiving yards marked the team's best receiving output by one player in a single game in almost three years, and has been surpassed by only three tight ends in school history.

Converted three of his catches vs. the Bears into touchdowns, matching his scoring totals from each of his past two seasons … Was rewarded as the week's Walter Camp Football Foundation's national offensive player of the week for his effort, which included scoring grabs of 26 and 36 yards, as well as the Pac-10's offensive player of the week … Responded to that performance by catching seven passes for 103 yards and one TD the following week vs. Washington State … Provided supreme effort by twisting for a 9-yard touchdown reception vs. Arizona State … Career receptions (124) pushed him over the top for most catches ever by an Oregon tight end, while his 1,557 receiving also is unsurpassed for a player at his position … Accumulating 42 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns this year, ranks 15th in the Pac-10 in both receiving yards (45.9 avg.) and receptions (3.5 avg.).

Second team All-Pac-10. Set career marks with 508 yards and an average of 14.5 yards per catch … Second on the team in receiving yardage and fourth in receptions (35) … Fourth in touchdown catches (three) … Career marks of seven catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns vs. Boise State … Seven receptions for 93 yards, as well as three carries for 18 yards at Purdue … Equalled a career-best seventh catch a third time against Arizona (84 yards) … Two catches for 81 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown in Civil War win at Oregon State … Capped season with two grabs for 29 yards in the Holiday Bowl … One of the program's strongest tight ends in school history, emerged as only the second tight end ever to bench press 400 pounds or more (400), as well as tied for second on the position's all-time power clean chart (341 lbs.) during 2008 winter testing.

Ducks' second-leading receiver accumulated more receiving yards than any of the program's tight ends in the past three years. Pulled down a career-best six catches against both California and Arizona while accumulating a high of 70 receiving yards vs. Washington State. Parlayed a consecutive three-game total of 13 receptions for 199 yards against Stanford, California and the Cougars. Capped an outstanding season with touchdown in the Sun Bowl vs. South Florida. In addition to his contributions from the line of scrimmage, also spent extensive time on special teams and scored a pair of two-point conversions. Was second only to Patrick Chung (1,173) in total plays with 1,135.

Natural athletic talent came to the forefront when he was shifted to the defensive line in the midst of fall camp to alleviate depth concerns brought on by injuries. Responded despite not playing the position on a regular basis since high school by posting seven of his 10 tackles on special teams as the kick coverage unit's second-leading tackler. Included was a career-best three stops in the opener vs. Stanford. Added a TFL for a loss of 9 yards at Arizona State. The 13- game participant was then shifted back to the offensive side of the ball for his last four games, converting from tight end to wide receiver against USC when the need arose there. Finished the season with four catches for 45 yards, including two grabs for 25 yards against the Trojans prior to a pair of receptions for 20 yards in the Las Vegas Bowl vs. BYU.

Earned scout team Offensive Player of the Week on five occasions during his redshirt campaign, aiding preparations in games vs. Montana, Stanford, Arizona, Washington State and USC.

High School (Coach): Bellflower (Brian Mustang) 2005. The SuperPrep All-American was ranked as the nation's No. 6 prep tight end prospect, as well as the top player at his position in the Western United States. The four-year starter led the Buccaneers in receiving and quarterback sacks, recording 28 catches for six touchdowns and over 400 yards his senior year to earn CIF Southern Section Southeast/South Coast Lineman-of-the- Year plaudits from the L.A. Times. His 54 tackles included 10 QB sacks, as he also blocked one field goal and punted the football 11 times (five inside the 20-yard line) for a 45.4-yard average. Included were five receptions for 72 yards in the 2004 season opener vs. Pacifica and three catches (two TDs) for 90 yards against Norwalk. The first-team all-Suburban League selection on both sides of the football also was named Best in the West honorable mention tight end/linebacker by the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Born Edward James Dickson on July 25, 1987 in Inglewood, Calif. Parent: Rena Dickson. Family: Two sisters. Major: Political Science.