Oregon Football Recruiting: Enough with the doom and gloom

It's been the winter of discontent for Duck fans who follow recruiting. Oregon suffered three nonlethal stings in the recruiting chase with decommitments by quarterback Jonas Williams, defensive tackle Tomuhini Topui and Highland, Utah offensive tackle Bott Mulitalo, all within the last few weeks. Has Dan Lanning lost his touch? The Ducks have dropped from No. 1 in the 2026 recruiting rankings all the way down to No. 5.

It might seem the unkindest cut of all before one stops to consider that it's 254 days until early signing day, and the Ducks have 13 more practices in April. Oregon has a knack for turning events like Pro Day and the spring game into a showcase. Tuesday at rivals.com, the veteran recruiting analyst predicted that the Ducks would land 12 of the Top 100 recruits in the country for 2026, a blue-chip haul that will send their ratio into the stratosphere.

On Monday he reviewed the Top 50, projecting Oregon to land six:

• 1. Offensive Tackle Jackson Cantwell

• 3. Quarterback Ryder Lyons

• 8. Edge Rusher Richard Wesley

• 22. Tight End Kendre Harrison

• 41. Receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt

• 50. Receiver Jalen Lott

That would be an impressive haul, but the Ducks are far from done. Did you think Dan Lanning was going to erase the dry-erase goals on his bathroom mirror, all because Lincoln Riley is throwing a little money around?

Gorney has the Ducks finishing with another half dozen from the prospects ranked 50-100. That's four five-stars and eight high four-stars in one class, after signing the No. 5 class in 2025 and the No. 6 class in 2024. The second group includes:

No. 52 Tradarian Ball

Already committed, Ball is an electric all-purpose running back from Texas High in Texarkana, Texas, LaMichael James' hometown. He's a 10.5 sprinter who's insanely dynamic in the open field, dangerous catching passes, running through the middle or returning kicks.

No. 58 Offensive Tackle Kodi Greene

Greene is another recruit in danger of being poached by the Trojans, where he's visiting this weekend. Although he's maintained a commitment to the Ducks since August 2024 Michigan, SC and Washington are still relentless in their pursuit of the 6-6, 290 tackle. He's now at Mater Dei after transferring from Eastside Catholic High in Sammamish, Washington.

Greene is supremely athletic for a big fella, a Navy All-American who can get out in front of a screen or lead block at the second level. He boasts an 80-inch wingspan, the Trinity League Offensive Line MVP in 2024.

No. 59 Linebacker Talanoa Ili

Ili's another battleground recruit coming off recent visits to USC and Oklahoma, a 6-4, 220 four-star linebacker from Kahuki, Hawaii, formerly at Orange Lutheran High School in Southern California. He last visited Oregon on March 13 and has an official visit scheduled for June 22, the No. 3 linebacker in the country.

No. 67 Tight end Brock Harris

From Pineview High School in St. George, Utah, Harris is 6-6, 240 and the No. 4 tight end in the country. The Ducks need to beef up at the position with Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert graduated and Kenyon Sadiq entering this year as a draft-eligible junior.

Harris is a 2026 Under Armour All-American who caught 55 passes for 665 yards and 8 touchdowns in 10 games as a sophomore.

No. 70 Cornerback Davon Benjamin

The 5-11, 170 cornerback from Oaks Christian High, Kayvon Thibodeaux's old school, has Oregon, SC, North Carolina, Georgia, Miami, Michigan and Ohio State on his visit list. Tosh Lupoi made a school visit in January. He's ranked No. 7 among CBs. Gorney wrote, "The Ducks have led for a long time and could be really tough to beat."

No. 78 Safety Jett Washington

From the elite football talent factory Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, Rivals lists Washington as 6-4, 200, a rangy safety with ball skills and a nasty streak. He visited Oregon for the Ohio State game, the nephew of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and also a major college prospect in basketball.

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