Just over two years ago–Oregon signed the highest ranked recruiting class ever in the history of Duck football. We have all heard about the great class for 2024 that head coach Dan Lanning is assembling for signing in December and this February, and now there are rumblings of how it could expand and become better? Perhaps even good enough to break the all-time recruiting record class of 2021, and launch Oregon into unprecedented territory with the team’s Blue-Chip ratio? Let’s take a look…
We recall how Coach Mario Cristobal put together an unheard of class for 2021 that had a record 19 players who were either 4-Star or 5-Star on the Rivals ratings. It gave the Ducks a No. 3 finish in the nation for recruiting, and was quite exciting as it occurred for the fans of Our Beloved Ducks. It now appears to have an asterisk next to that record because just 2.5 years later Oregon only has six remaining on the squad. What happened?
There are a variety of reasons detailed in the article linked above, but the primary component was the talent analysis and recruiting of high school/portal players by Coach Lanning and his staff was superior to the prior regime. The end result was most of that 2021 class being passed by the Lanning recruits. It is this reason that makes Oregon fans that much more excited about this 2024 class, and how it could be the foundation of an ongoing elite team in Eugene.
As you can see with the current 2024 list of verbal recruits to Oregon, there are 17 of the coveted 4/5–Star players of the 24 verbally committed, and thus to beat the record–Lanning would need all of them to sign as planned, (which usually happens) and he would need to acquire three more of the 4/5-Star players.
How likely is this?
Junior Adams, (center) has been instrumental in bringing great WRs to Oregon. (Photo by Eugene Johnson)
Let’s examine those left who are uncommitted, and interested in Oregon as both the players and scholarships remaining are becoming scarce.
Reasonable Chances to Sign:
Elijah Rushing 4-Star, 6-6 225; Since he is an Edge Rusher, it has to be the most appropriate name ever for a recruit. Oregon was a finalist for him when he verbally committed to Arizona, but now that he has backed off that pledge–Oregon is considered the front-runner for him.
Jericho Johnson 4-Star, 6-3, 320: He is a ready-made Nose Tackle that the Ducks need badly with the graduation of two NTs after the end of this season. It is an Oregon-Washington battle for him!
Roger Saleapaga 4-Star, 6-4 210: With the loss of Terrance Ferguson at season’s end–this tight end recruit is a big need and the Ducks lead for him at the moment.
Jason Brown 4-Star, 5-9, 200 RB: We are the current leader for him, but it is unknown if there will be enough scholarships left for this highly interested prospect.
Jordan Seaton 4-Star, 6-5, 295 OT: He is visiting this weekend, and has connections with current teammates at Oregon since he is originally from Washington D.C. He has spoke of how Oregon was a dream school for him in the past.
PJ Woodland, 4-Star, 6-0, 160, corner: He decommitted from Mississippi State, and has always liked Oregon. It is unknown where the Ducks are in his recruitment since his change of verbal just occurred.
Coach Lanning has upgraded the defense immediately with recruiting. (Screenshot from Pac-12 Network Video)
Lower probabilities for Signing:
Eddy Pierre-Louis 4-Star, 6-4, 320 OG: we are on the outside of this prospect, but still recruiting him although he is a lean to Oklahoma.
Xavier Filsaime, 4-Star, 5-11, 180 Safety: He is verbally committed to Florida, but the coaching situation with the Gators may change at season end, thus recruiting of him continues. (Flip Candidate)
Jeremiah McClellan 4-Star, 5-11, 190 WR: He is currently verballed to Ohio State, but if the highly touted Buckeye receiver coach takes a new job at season’s end as rumored-McClellan is a flip candidate to the Ducks.
Many of these are 5-Star on 247, thus why you see them referred to as such in some articles, while I stick with the consistent Rivals rankings. You can learn my philosophy developed over 20 years of following recruiting of why I use the Rivals rankings right here for understanding, as I consider it significant.
Oregon needs three more of the highly valued 4/5-Star players to break the record, and do keep in mind that some scholarships need to be reserved for attractive portal players who can help immediately with the holes left by as many as 21 primary players on this year’s team. Do you think Lanning and his staff will break the record? Share your thoughts in the only free, and civilized Oregon message board because…
“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!“
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Screenshot from 247 Video
Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 38 years and has written reports on football boards for over 26 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports, and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He is single, has a daughter Christine, and resides in Eugene Oregon where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years.
He now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations in addition to managing his two Oregon Football Websites, of FishDuck.com and the Our Beloved Ducks forum. He is a busy man!
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…