Oregon football recruiting: On3 experts predict new commit, 5-star visits ease fears

Until now, Duck linebacker recruiting had lagged badly. In the secondary the Ducks scored in the 2025 class, landing the No. 3, No. 8 and No. 12 cornerbacks, one of which turned out to be Brandon Finney.

Ranked No. 8, Finney turned out to be the scouting find of the new century, playing at an All-American level seven games into his first season. While Dorian Brew has been injured, Na'eem Offord has shown promise too, taking game reps with the first team.

At safety redshirt freshman Aaron Flowers and sophomore Peyton Woodward have proven to be above-the-line playmakers. Against Rutgers Flowers turned in a forced fumble and an interception. Woodyard posted four tackles.

While the Oregon secondary looks national championship quality for the next couple of years, linebacker development has lagged. Injuries slowed progress for the trio from 2024, Brayden Platt, Kamar Mothudi and Dylan Williams until Williams broke through in New Jersey with five tackles, a shared sack and 1.5 TFLs.

Gavin Nix, the one linebacker recruited in the 2025 class, 6-0, 230 from IMG Academy, is on track to redshirt.

The Ducks needed to hit big in the linebacker group this cycle with Bryce Boettcher graduating and Devon Jackson and Jerry Mixon reaching their junior years, and it looks like they finally have.

Tristan Phillips, the 6-3, 215 'backer from Ventura High in Venture California, has been on board since last December. Thursday Oregon picked up two On3 Sports crystal balls for Braylon Hodge, a 6-3, 212 four-star from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado.

Hodge visited for the Indiana game. Just two weeks after his decommitment from Michigan State the Ducks have moved into the favorite's role ahead of Texas, Michigan and the home-state Buffaloes. He's the No. 9 linebacker in the country; Phillips is No. 22 in the 247Sports Composite.

It's a big weekend in Oregon recruiting as tight end Kendre Harrison and five-star offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho make return visits a month ahead of early signing day. Phillips returns to Eugene this weekend, and the UO staff also picks up a visit from 2027 four-star athlete Brayton Feister, 6-3, 230 from Akron, Ohio, a three-time age group national champion in wrestling.

Since numerous schools closer to home have been trying to poach Harrison and Iheanacho for months, their return to UO for a November visit is reassuring as the incoming freshman class builds their own sense of connection.

Feister is an intriguing prospect, a linebacker/running back/tight end with a 38-inch vertical and a reported 4.4 40. He has a younger brother Brydon, also a wrestling champion and linebacker/fullback in the 2028 class. The two have the physical development of 22-year-old Olympians.

It's flip season, and coaching instability elsewhere around college football creates opportunities. Oregon has another bye week after the Wisconsin game, so in addition to pouring energy into a demanding November football schedule the staff will have a dual focus, school visits and prep playoff games around the country.