Ducks lose out in Seaton sweepstakes, won't visit Eugene

He's not here; he's not coming. Five-star left tackle and freshman All-American Jordan Seaton remained in Baton Rouge on Monday and cancelled a scheduled visit to Eugene.

Lane Kiffin and LSU have emerged as the favorites to land him with Miami second, according to reports from Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and others. "He's no longer expected to visit the Ducks," Zenitz said.

That means the solution to Oregon's vacancy at left tackle has to come from elsewhere. In way-too-early preseason polls and the betting market the program is a top contender for the 2026 national championship, but they won't reach the title game January 25 in Las Vegas without above-the-line play at LT, the key to both the passing game and the rushing attack.

Indiana became the third Big Ten in a row to win theirs last night, and they did it with relentless blend of experience, preparation and execution. There's a feeling among Duck fans that "Oregon is next," but for that to become a reality the team will have to win with a young, talented offensive line.

Mississippi State left tackle Jayvin James entered the portal, announced today, 6-5, 320 a former three-star who started his career at Akron. The Top 50 tackles in the portal have already found homes and most of the next 50.

While Oregon is loaded at the skill positions and the defense looks formidable with the return of Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington plus the addition of No. 1 portal safety Koi Perich, the ceiling of the team will rest in o-line coach Alique Terry's ability to teach, though his unit is anchored by returnees Iapani Laloulu and Dave Iuli, both seniors. Thus far their only acquisition there is Michael Bennett IV from Yale.

Oregon is going the opposite way from most programs, who are seeking to follow the Indiana model with experienced players. The Ducks are being built on the old star system, depending on the development of home-grown players with talent.

Over his four seasons as a head coach, Dan Lanning has averaged a phenomenal 12 wins a season. He's proven he can beat average teams with regularity, but matching up in big games has not come as easy.

Taking one of the losingest programs in college football to a national championship in two years, Curt Cignetti has seemingly proven that execution and maturity matter most in winning at a high level. The Hoosiers were loaded with fourth, fifth and sixth-year players.

As of now, the Ducks primary candidates at left tackle are Fox Crader and Ziyare Addison, plus true freshmen Immanuel Iheanacho, Koloi Keli and Tommy Tofi. All were top-rated recruits. Their development is crucial, something to watch in spring after Seaton's visit didn't materialize.