August 2nd, the Ducks should be taking the field for their first padded practice, but it's also a big day for another reason: Defensive tackle Deuce Geralds and cornerback Davon Benjamin announce their commitments.
Oregon is favored to land both by the recruiting site prediction machines, but the competition for each is intense. From Suwanee, Georgia, Geralds, 6-3, 265, ranks as the No. 75 recruit for 2026, the No. 9 defensive lineman. Ole Miss, Oregon, Michigan and Ohio State are duking it out for him.
Benjamin is so versatile that On3 Sports calls him the No. 1 cover corner, while 247 says he's the No. 5 safety and No. 36 overall in the class, about the width of three blades of grass from being a five-star.
He's a ballhawk who picked off six passes last season at Oaks Christian High, the school that brought the Ducks Kayvon Thibodeaux.
In a column last week Duck Sports Central's Scott Reed said, "The Ducks remain in a strong position with Davon Benjamin. There’s a high level of confidence among the staff that their efforts will pay off."
"Benjamin has been Oregon’s top cornerback target in this class for a long time, and they’ve recruited him as such from the start. He loves the Oregon staff and feels strongly about the program fit. I really like where Oregon stands heading into his decision."
Geralds brings the same kind of intensity to the pass rush that Benjamin shows in locking down receivers. These are two of the highest priorities for Dan Lanning and the Oregon defensive staff. Holding off Michigan, Ohio State and the rest for their commitments would solidify this as another Top Ten class for the Ducks. They are tone-setters.
Great work! @CollinsHillFB @SwickONE8 @CoachBeck56 pic.twitter.com/NE9lJuZVPs
— Daverin “Deuce” Geralds II (@DeuceGeralds) June 26, 2025
Two monumental recruiting wins four weeks before the first game would set up the Ducks for a very successful August, but the maneuvering between now and then will heat up some cell phones.