The footage was grainy and the sound echoed. For a second it was difficult to sort out what was happening exactly.
Explosive playmaker Messiah Hampton chose Oregon in a live ceremony on On3 Sports Friday morning. He's Oregon's eighth commitment in the 2026 class, ending a drought of second-place finishes and decommitments that plummeted the Ducks to No. 33 in the national rankings, the lowest they've been in the Dan Lanning era.
Hampton credited new Oregon wide receivers coach and former Syracuse assistant Ross Douglas with mentoring him and developing a strong relationship, pivotal in his decision.
Hampton said on Instagram, “Being Coach Douglas’ first offer definitely means a lot. It shows I’m definitely a priority to him, he wants to coach me. He sees that I could be an NFL player."
"For him to leave Syracuse and go to Oregon, and I be the first person he offers, shows a lot about how much belief he has in me to prosper as a player.”
He joins powerful tight end Kendre Harrison in the 2026 edition of the Quack Attack. Hampton is the nation's No. 65 prospect and No. 10 wide receiver.
On film, Hampton is twitchy, explosive and versatile, three-way weapon at James Monroe Campus School in Rochester, New York.
He's got breakawy speed and a knack for high-pointing the ball at 6-1, 191, a physical receiver who blocks and plays defense, a broken-field runner and a home run threat, one cut and gone, tough to bring down, resourceful.
He displays good body control at the goal line and the ability to track and haul down a 50/50 ball, confident, assertive with great vision as a returner, long, smooth strides when he breaks open.
Quick feet off the line give him clean releases. He gets separation easily, catches the ball smoothly with natural hands, catches it first and makes a smooth transition to being a runner. He thinks big play from the moment he touches the ball..
Hampton's commitment gives the Ducks added momentum in their pursuit of quarterback Ryder Lyons and receivers Calvin Russell and Jalen Lott.