The games they remember are played in November, but the foundation is laid on the recruiting trail in June and July.
Three weeks ago on June 12, Oregon stood 34th in the country with just seven recruits. They'd lost a five-star when edge rusher Richard Wesley decommitted on May 27.
Only Nebraska and Maryland had fewer in the Big Ten. Today they're No. 7 in the country at On3, 10th in the 247 Composite with an average recruit rating of 93.15.
Dan Lanning's spectacular run begin June 13th when four-star wide receiver Messiah Hampton picked the Ducks over Syracuse. In quick succession it's been:
June 13 Messiah Hampton, 4-star wide receiver Rochester, New York, 6-1, 180
The #1 prospect in NY's 2026 class is headed to Oregon.
— Rachel Libert (@Rachel_Libert) June 13, 2025
Monroe's 4-star WR Messiah Hampton @messiah_O8 announced he'll be taking his talents to Eugene after receiving 20+ offers.
I asked him what legacy he wants to leave in Rochester — here's what he had to say: pic.twitter.com/4oXsx0gZfB
June 19 Jett Washington, 5-star safety, Las Vegas, Nevada
June 25 Bryson Beaver, 4-star quarterback, Ventura, California, 6-3, 195
June 30 Koloi Keli, 3-star interior offensive lineman, Honolulu, Hawaii, 6-3 290
July 2 Tommy Tofi, 4-star offensive tackle, Archbishop Riordan, San Francisco, 6-6, 330
July 3 Immanuel Iheanacho, 5-star offensive tackle, North Bethesda, Maryland, 6-7, 340
July 3 Devin Jackson, 4-star safety, Orlando, Florida, 6-2, 195
What's next
Oregon looks to sign about 21 players in the 2026 class, a couple more if opportunities develop or a couple more scholarships shake loose in the one-time emergency transfer portal window announced yesterday, limited to walk-ons and players who are in danger of being cut under the new scholarship limit of 105 players.
Duck target Calvin Russell announces Saturday, a 6-5, 5-star wide receiver from Miami. They are in his final group but most of the national analysts have him picking Michigan-- he's a two-sport athlete in football and basketball.
The next likely Duck commit is Panther Creek, Frisco, Texas wide receiver Jalen Lott, who announces on Tuesday July 8. Lott is a phenomenal athlete, silver medalist at the Texas 6A State Championships in both the high jump and long jump with a personal best 100 meter time of 10.78.
Lott is incredibly explosive. He's high jumped 6', 10" and cleared 24' 3.75 in the long jump pit. On the gridiron he paced the Panthers with 85 receptions for 1,111 yards and 16 TDs on 13.1 yards per catch.
His commitment is especially important for Oregon because they're likely to finish second for 5-stars Russell and Boobie Feaster, the 6-2 wide receiver from DeSoto, Texas. Feaster announces Friday July 4, predicted to choose USC.
Man I love what I’m seeing from 2026 ATH recruit Jalen Lott (6’0” 176)
— Jason DiRienzo (@allpurposescout) June 27, 2025
Twitchy athlete, extremely explosive, fluid navigator, natural separator, soft hands and bangs through the gears down field. Versatile player that can be dominant on offense or defense. Would love to see him… pic.twitter.com/13Oj5O5KEF
After that, it's a waiting game for elite cover corner Davon Benjamin and quick, strong defensive tackle Deuce Geralds, who don't yet have commitment dates.
Blue-chip DL Deuce Geralds sporting 🦆 gear at Rivals Five Starhttps://t.co/mYuwlPE6Tz @DeuceGeralds pic.twitter.com/c51kTnq31r
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) June 23, 2025
The "wearing of the gear" thing is overplayed in recruiting; kids wear a variety of the gear they've been given for a variety of reasons, sometimes for misdirection and/or negotiation, sometimes because they simply like it. It's not definitive.
Still, Geralds has an unmatched motor. He's a bit of a tweener but he's lethal and disruptive.
Here’s a clip of 2027 Mater Dei IOL Lex Mailangi getting some work in against top-50 2026 DT Deuce Geralds at the Rivals Five-Star in Indy yesterday pic.twitter.com/vPPdqcosFR
— Matt Moreno (@MattRMoreno) June 25, 2025