Oregon Ducks tight end Cam McCormick is considering returning for an eighth season, given a ninth year of eligibility

The longest-serving Oregon Ducks player may return in the eighth season.

Tight end Cam McCormick, who has nine catches for 64 yards and three touchdowns entering the Holiday Bowl, said he hasn’t decided whether to return to UO or pursue the NFL. He also conceded that he was denied another year of eligibility by the NCAA for a right Achilles tear in 2021.

“I’ve thought about it; it’s a tough decision,” McCormick said after Friday’s practice. “I’m not entirely sure what my decision will be yet. I will continue to enjoy this match with my teammates and make the decision after the match. … I couldn’t imagine doing nine. If anything, I only applied for it after Ohio State last year. I tore my Achilles tendon and luckily I was able to get it back. The choice is there, I have it. Whether you use it is up in the air. Thinking of going back for a year eight.”

If McCormick is now pursuing a professional career, it is very unlikely that he will receive an invitation to the NFL this year and will most likely be an undrafted free agent. If signed NFL players are not on an active list, they will earn $12,000 per week in 2023. It is possible for players to earn more name, image, and likeness compensation while in college.

If he returns to UO, McCormick, who already has bachelor’s and master’s degrees, said he will likely take business or yoga classes or pursue an internship to meet academic requirements.

He acknowledged the financial, practical and academic facts that would influence his decision.

“Coach (Dan) Lanning does a lot of great things, attracts a lot of great people,” McCormick said. “The guys here are great. There’s a lot on my mind. It’s exhausting me. But it’s a good decision to make, at least I have a decision to make.”

Winner of the Orange Bowl-FWAA Award for Courage of the Year, McCormick was one of three UO players to be hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis after extremely hard training in January 2017. He missed nearly all of the 2018-21 seasons due to a fractured left ankle that required three operations Torn Achilles tendon surgery.

Related: Cam McCormick has struggled with injuries for 4 seasons, but his deeper wound wasn’t physical

After the Holiday Bowl, McCormick will fly from San Diego to Miami to receive the award during an on-field presentation at the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30.

“I got a call from Coach Lanning and I was in shock, but I was so grateful and excited,” he said. “I couldn’t wait to tell my mom. It’s been a long road, so it’s great to see – winning this award was such a recognition. I’m really honored. I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who participated and everyone who was able to get my story out there. It means a lot.”

Related: 377 by teammates Cam McCormick, the longest by Oregon State

McCormick said at the start of the season that his goal was to go through the season without another injury. He did and afforded himself the chance to play another year, or even two, or come out on his own terms.