EUGENE — Already leading Oregon in receiving yards through the first four games, Jake Breeland is quickly approaching what would be a career season for the Ducks tight end and could end up as a historic one as well.

Breeland, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound redshirt senior from Mission Viejo, California, has 18 catches on 21 targets for 265 yards and five touchdowns, most among all FBS tight ends this season. He is just 112 yards shy of his career best from last season and has already matched his personal best in touchdowns after scoring twice in Oregon’s 21-6 win at Stanford on Saturday.

It was the third straight game with a touchdown for Breeland, who moved into fourth in career receiving yards among Oregon tight ends with 1,085, and now Ed Dixon’s total of 1,557 yards is within his sights.

“He’s determined to be an excellent football player,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. “He’s worked at it and he’s been extremely productive. Listening to him open up and lead in that locker room was another step for him and for our football team. Really fired up about him.”

With Oregon’s receiving corps dealing with numerous injuries — among them Cam McCormick, a redshirt junior tight end from Bend who is out for the season with an ankle injury — Breeland has quickly become the go-to target for quarterback Justin Herbert.

On top of his five touchdowns, five of Breeland’s other 13 catches have resulted in first downs.

“I put it on myself that I need to prove to (Herbert) that he can trust me in these situations on third downs, on any down honestly,” Breeland said. “When he throws me the ball that I need to come down with it. I did have two drops (Saturday), so I’m not happy about that. I need to move on from that and keep getting better.”

Breeland’s first touchdown against the Cardinal was one of the highlight-reel plays of the game.

Herbert’s pass was perfectly placed, and Breeland’s midair catch was just as impressive.

“He made a great play on it,” Herbert said. “Fortunately having a guy like him, you can throw a ball up and he will go and get it. It’s an honor to have him on our side of the ball and it was a great play.”

Breeland is third among FBS tight ends in receiving yards and leads the position in touchdowns. At this pace, he will not only have the best season by an Oregon tight end but will be in the thick of the conversation for the Mackey Award, presented each year to college football’s most outstanding tight end.

In games where more than a dozen NFL scouts and executives are in attendance watching Herbert and Oregon’s offensive line, Breeland is also maximizing his opportunity at exposure for the next level.

“It’s very important,” he said. “I thank God for this opportunity and I’m going to come out here and prove that I can be in the NFL and I can do it.”