Oregon Football Recruiting: Shough Commits, Kicks Off Big Recruiting Weekend

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 5: The Oregon Ducks mascot encourages fans against the Arizona Wildcats on December 5, 2014 during the Pac-12 Championship at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Oregon won 51-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 5: The Oregon Ducks mascot encourages fans against the Arizona Wildcats on December 5, 2014 during the Pac-12 Championship at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Oregon won 51-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

As Oregon takes on Washington State tonight, it could be a huge weekend for Willie Taggart and the Ducks both on and off the field.

On the field, the Ducks face the challenge of trying to take down the 11th-ranked team in the nation with a backup quarterback.

Off the field, they have the huge opportunity of solidifying their best-recruiting class in school history.

It got a big boost earlier Saturday morning, as one of the top signal-callers in the nation joined the flock.

We reported earlier that four-star quarterback Tyler Shough made a surprise visit to Eugene earlier this week

After Shough returned home, he de-committed from North Carolina and made his switch official earlier this morning

Despite the impressive 2018 recruiting haul so far, the class had been devoid of a quarterback, something Oregon desperately needed.

The Ducks recruiting class had been filled with skill position players, but needed a quarterback to spearhead the class.

Now that Shough has committed, the 2018 class adds one of the final missing pieces to the puzzle.

The Oregon depth chart presents an interesting opportunity for 247sports.com’s 10th-ranked quarterback in the country.

Behind sophomore Justin Herbert, the Ducks only have two scholarship quarterbacks, leaving a door wide open for a 2018 recruit.

For Hamilton High School in Arizona, Shough has thrown for over 3800 yards and 44 touchdowns in 19 games played.

According to ESPN recruiting’s evaluation, Shough is “a kid that is a bit of a sleeper and could be a much different player in three years. Shows flashes and will only get stronger and better.”

He has also been getting comparisons to 2016 first overall draft pick Jared Goff.

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Duck fans should be excited with the possible addition of the four-star quarterback. They have even more reason to be with the list of visitors in town this weekend.

With the Ducks taking on the challenge of their first marquee Pac-12 matchup, Taggart and his staff have assembled an impressive group of recruits to come to Eugene this weekend.

The headliner of the group is five-star Devon Williams, the fourth-ranked wide receiver in the nation.

Williams will be taking his second unofficial visit, his first time seeing a game at Autzen in person.

It has also been reported that there will be another five-star in attendance, as in-state star Talanoa Hufanga will make another trip down to Eugene.

The two uncommitted prospects will be joined by a group of Oregon commits, such as safety Jevon Holland, offensive lineman Dawson Jaramillo, and athlete Braden Lenzy.

The committed prospects will have a chance to help convince these five-star prospects to join the flock.

Oregon is a big factor in the recruitments for both Williams and Hufanga. This weekend’s unofficial visit could go a long ways towards securing commitments from the two.

At 6-foot-4, Williams could be an instant impact player at the receiver position at Oregon.

Hufanga projects to be a safety at the next-level, and could help expedite the rebuilding of the Duck defense.

A plethora of 2019 and 2020 prospects are also planning to also be in attendance.

With one of the most talented quarterbacks committed, and even more talent in town this weekend, it is shaping up to be a huge weekend for Willie Taggart and the Ducks on and off the field.

Next: College Football Matrix: Washington State Lacks Offensive Efficiency

Oregon hosts Washigton State at 5 pm Pacific time Saturday on FOX.

Schedule

Schedule