Oregon Ducks News: Mariota visits, Reed breaks down recruiting, Diamond Ducks on the road

Oregon Football Recruiting: Ducks avoid throwing shade

Scott Reed of Duck Sports Authority talks about the Ducks' recruiting approach under Dan Lanning and lists the big-time visitors to Eugene in his weekly Thursday Roundup column.

Lanning and the Ducks don't rely on negative recruiting, he writes.

"If a coach’s first message to a recruit is about why they shouldn’t pick another school — whether it’s location, weather, or some outdated perception — that’s not a pitch; it’s a deflection. Recruits see through that. They want authenticity, opportunity, and a place that feels like home."

Culture and clarity define Oregon's pitch, something that was evident this week as Marcus Mariota made a trip back to campus. He and the staff met a bevy of high profile recruits, including five-star edge rusher Anthony Jones, 2026 commits Tony Cumberland and Dutch Horisk, 6-7, 345 offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho and Mater Dei receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt.

Dixon-Wyatt shapes up as a battle between Ohio State and Oregon, the No. 31 prospect in the country for 2026 and the No. 5 receiver,

Standards stay high at Oregon spring practice

Also at DSA, new leadership and a strong commitment to culture highlight the team's development as they build toward the Spring Game on April 26.

“We’re not returning a ton of experience,” Dan Lanning said. “So it’s about those guys stepping up, creating leadership, creating standards for our team.”

Players like Poncho Laloulu, Bryce Boettcher and Kenyon Sadiq lead the way with increased volume, improved execution, extra work and film study, Lanning says.

The Ducks hold their first of three scrimmages this spring on Saturday, leading up to the finale in Autzen Stadium on the 26th.

Men's baseball slated for TV

The Oregon men travel to College Park, Maryland for a three-game series that opens with a Friday afternoon game at 3:00 p.m. PDT.

That one's on the Oregon Sports Network and Big Ten+, but Saturday's game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, a 1:00 p.m. PDT first pitch. The series concludes with a Sunday game at 10 a.m. PDT.

The Terrapins are 3-9 in the Big Ten, 15-19 overall. No. 15 in the ESPN college baseball poll, the Ducks hold down third place in the conference with a 10-5 record, 22-9 this season. Ace Grayson Grinsell (5-1, 3.40 ERA) goes Friday afternoon.

Clark falters in Masters opening round

Bogeys at 13, 14 and 17 dropped Duck Wyndham Clark to +4 76 in his opening round at the Masters Golf Tournament in August, Georgia.

The 2023 U.S. Open Champion and 2017 PAC-12 Champion lies in danger of missing the cut, projected to be at +1. He wasn't alone in struggling with some of Augusta's newer, firmer greens. Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy made two double bogeys over his final four holes.

Britain's Justin Rose leads the field after firing an opening round 65, seven under par. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler sits in an three-way tie for second after an opening round 68.

No. 4 softball squad flies to Minneapolis

Melyssa Lombardi's softball nine flew into Minnesota yesterday for a three-game series with the Gophers. First pitch Friday is at 3 p.m. PDT.

The Ducks are ranked No. 4 in the country after a 35-4 start, tied for first in the Big Ten at 9-1 with Northwestern and UCLA. All three games of the series will be carried on KWVA radio and Big Ten+ TV.

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