Another day, another bombshell recruiting announcement
Tyler Atkinson goes on the "Pat McAfee Show" today to announce his college decision between Texas, Georgia, Clemson and Oregon, with the On3 experts Chad Simmons and Steve Wiltfong flipping their predictions to the Longhorns.
Previous announcements for Ryder Lyons and Immanuel Iheanacho took place at 9:30 a.m. PT followed by a brief interview.
Atkinson 6-2, 210, is the Rivals/On3 No. 1 linebacker and No. 9 overall recruit, from Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. Autzen Zoo's film review and a detailed scouting report is available here.
Tyler Atkinson junior year highlights, the No. 1 linebacker in the 2026 class, down to Oregon, Clemson, Georgia and Texas. https://t.co/z1Wy9Rwy1V #hudl
— Dale Bliss (@AutzenZoo_Bliss) July 15, 2025
Asked about Oregon, the coveted linebacker told Hunter Shelton of Rivals, “I really don’t have any words to describe the feeling from this visit other than, ‘They really believe in me … "
"The entire visit was an experience from beginning to end. I love the “AtkNup Plan” for me and the love they showed my family … We had a lot of great experiences that were non-football … Coach Tosh showed me some new fishing tips."
"Coach Lanning helped get my golf swing right, and Coach B-Mike always fed my football appetite. They did everything they could to show me how much I belonged, and I felt it.”
With Atkinson predicted to choose Texas, attention shifts Wednesday to 6-2, 215 Owings Mills, Maryland linebacker Nick Abrams, who's expected to choose the Bulldogs over Oregon and Michigan.
Dodgers nab Anson Aroz
The LA Dodgers selected Oregon left fielder and catcher Anson Aroz in the 19th round of the Major League Baseball draft Monday, the No. 585 selection overall.
Aroz, 5-11, 195 from Placer High School in Auburn, California, hit .281 for the Ducks with 17 homers and 53 RBI. In a game against Utah Valley in the NCAA Tournament, he was ejected from the game and ruled out even though it appeared Wolverine catcher Mason Strong had obstructed the plate after missing the ball, a pivotal play in a close game.
Anson Aroz, whose college career came to an end after one of the worst calls in sports history, has been drafted in the 19th round by the Dodgers.
— Mojo Hill (@mojohill22) July 14, 2025
A switch-hitter with some legit pop, athleticism and positional versatility.
pic.twitter.com/48563JwLYw
A 19th-round draft pick typically receives a bonus of around $125,000. According to a study by Baseball America, 73 percent of first round draft picks make it to the major leagues, dropping to 51 percent in the second, 40 percent in the third.
The numbers drop precipitously after that. Which doesn't mean Aroz, Mason Neville and Jason Reitz can't defy the odds. Ducks' all-time home run and RBI leader Jacob Walsh was drafted in the 15th round by the Washington Nationals.
"I think I've gotten light years better since high school."
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) June 19, 2025
Jacob Walsh decided to attend Oregon instead of turning pro in 2021. Four years later, he enters the Draft as the school's career home run leader: https://t.co/IinfGXblvx pic.twitter.com/JENzWhwxTR
Pitcher Grayson Grinsell went in the sixth round to Detroit, the staff leader this season with a 9-3 record and a 3.01 ERA. Opponents batted just .205 against him.
Seven McGee flashes breakaway ability
Playing for British Columbia in the CFL, former Oregon running back Seven McGee shook loose for a 92-yard punt return against Edmonton but the play was called back by an illegal block.
God did God timing.💯 pic.twitter.com/aa8nMxgwMW
— 7 (@McgeeSeven) July 14, 2025