Oregon Ducks‘ Football and Head Coach Willie Taggart are off to a stellar start for the 2018 recruiting class. They’ve landed six 4-star commits, two 3-star commits and a JUCO transfer since April 8th. Taggart will continue to target elite athletes for the class and try to finish strong.
There are several players currently leaning towards the Ducks. Let’s look at a couple that Oregon has a real chance at landing.
Tre’Shaun Harrison
Tre’Shaun Harrison
Photo:247Sports
Harrison is a 6-foot-2, 190-lb. athlete out of Garfield High School in Seattle, WA. He recently visited the Ducks and liked what he saw. “It was good,” Harrison said of his trip to Eugene, “The coaches were pretty cool and the facilities were nice. It’s all real high tech.” The Ducks have some competition. He recently visited USC and has them as a top contender as well. Upcoming visits to the University of Michigan and Notre Dame are also possible in June, and the University of Washington is going to push hard to keep him in state. Even so, I like Oregon’s chances.
Harrison would be a huge commitment for the Ducks. He can be a difference maker on offense or defense. 247Sports Composite ranks Harrison as the nation’s No. 17 athlete, and No. 2 recruit in the state of Washington. He can play running back or receiver. He can also play in the secondary on defense, although it might be difficult to take the ball out of his hands because of his play-making ability.
Wherever the Ducks played him he would be a difference maker. When running the ball, he’s elusive and fast. He’s powerful and can break tackles with ease. Defensively, he’s a ball hawk. While playing safety, he’s more like a center fielder waiting on a fly ball. He anticipates well and breaks on the ball to catch it before the receiver.
The two-way threat Harrison recorded 1,480 all-purpose yards last season with nine TD’s, four rushing and five receiving. Ducks assistant coach Keith Heyward is leading the charge for Harrison on the recruiting trail and some sources have him leaning towards the Ducks.
Isaah Crocker
Isaah Crocker
Photo: 247Sports
The Ducks were already a contender for Sacramento’s 6-1, 175-lb 4-star wide receiver, but when they received a commitment from 3-star TE Spencer Webb on April 29th, their chances got even better. Crocker and Webb plan on being a package deal and committing to the same school. Sometimes package deals end up not working out, but this puts the Ducks in a good place at present.
Besides Oregon, Crocker has offers from Oregon, Oregon State, USC, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Utah, UCLA and Cal. When asked about Oregon’s program, Croker said “They will be and are going to stay hot. Everything is falling into place. I can definitely see myself playing for them, 100 percent. They are reloading with some heat. I would love to be a part of that movement. They need elite wide receivers and they want me to play that part. I’m down for it.”
As you can see in the above video, Crocker beats the secondary with ease. He’s an elusive route runner who can make all the catches. His ability to high-point the ball and see it into his hands is phenomenal. Having him on the team would be a blessing for any quarterback, giving the Ducks’ offense a weapon who would make life difficult for any opposing defense. I have him leaning towards Oregon, and have the Ducks eventually landing him.
The Ducks are on a roll with the 2018 class. Landing one or both of these play-makers would make an already great recruiting class even better. We are ready to see the Ducks contend for a National Championship, and either of these players would help our chances.
However, landing both would increase our odds exponentially.
Norm Hightower
Bend, Ore.
Top Photo from 247Sports
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Norm Hightower is a businessman, sports enthusiast, avid outdoorsman, and lifelong Ducks fan that resides in the State of Oregon. He has a wealth of sports knowledge and experience when it comes to football and many other outdoor sports. He’s also a managing partner, writer and editor for Gridiron Media Group LLC and Ramstalk.net.