Ted Leroux of "That Show Out West" and On3 Sports noted today that Oregon's blue-chip ratio of 78% is higher than 10 of the last 14 national champions. It's risen every year since Dan Lanning became head coach in December 2021.
It's likely to keep rising. In the latest 2026 rankings release by Rivals/On3 Sports, Oregon has reached the No. 6 class in the country while leading the nation in average ranking per commit at 92.28. Despite the limitations of the House Settlement and intense competition for players due to NIL and revenue-sharing, the Ducks set the pace with evaluation, relationship-building and development.
So much for the House Settlement tanking Oregon's recruiting. https://t.co/W2GNlVnKCt
— Eric Hovland (@EricJHovland) July 18, 2025
They also hold on to their players. In three full seasons and just 43 days before he begins his fourth, Dan Lanning has never lost a starter to the portal. They've retained their talent. It's stayed home, choosing to grow rather than bolt to the highest bidder.
In an essay today at Duck Sports Central, former Rivals analyst Scott Reed explains why. He writes:
"...Oregon is not using “moneyball” concepts to shape its strategy on the recruiting trail. Instead, the Ducks have leaned into a more principled — and frankly, more sustainable — approach that emphasizes internal culture over external flash. That means rewarding players already in the program, rather than offering top-dollar NIL packages to unproven high school stars."
The Ducks don't try to be the highest bidder on every top high school recruit, Reed observes. That would upset the structure and chemistry among their existing players. Instead, they reward buy-in and development through performance incentives and competitive revenue-sharing to the proven talent on their roster.
It may cost them with a few of the high-profile, big-name kids and their handlers that conduct bidding wars, but what they wind up with is a class of athletes focused on long-term goals and winning, football players who love football.
In Jett Washington, Tradarian Ball, Prince Tavizon, Messiah Hampton, Immanuel Iheanacho, Tommy Tofi, Tristan Phillips, Tony Cumberland and the rest, they have a class of impact players that fit the culture.
These are guys who think about winning first rather than being blinded by the gleam off the Lamborghinis. In about two weeks, the 2026 group is likely to reach another level with the addition of defensive tackle Deuce Geralds and cornerback Davon Benjamin, two more Top 100 players.
The Ducks are built to win, now and in the future. As they continue to have on-field and NFL draft success, the credibility with top players continues to grow. Dan Lanning is going to win a national championship in the next five years and maybe sooner.
Oregon's Blue Chip Ratio of 78% is higher than 10 of the last 14 National Champions.
— Ted Leroux (@TedontheDucks) July 18, 2025
Only '24 Ohio State(90%), '21 Georgia(80%), '20 Alabama(83%), '17 Alabama(80%) had higher percentages.
In the era of portal/player movement, maintaining those players is even more impressive.