Still in sight of the nation's No. 1 class if they can complete a flip of 5-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., Dan Lanning and the Oregon staff signed the best class in school history over the first two days of the Early Signing Period, currently ranked No. 2 in the 247Sports Composite.
Though it's a monumental achievement and an impressive array of talent, the recruiting rankings expire the moment a prospect steps on the practice field for his first offseason workout. From there, everything is earned. All potential means is that you haven't done anything yet.
Even so, it's an eye-popping group for size, speed and athleticism. It's time to point out some highlights, while realizing there's a lot of work to do between now and making an All-America team. The point right now is that stacking classes like this one and players with these body types is the first prerequisite to winning national championships. Typically a national champion sends 12 to 15 to the NFL.
Most likely to start in Year 1
Off the top two stand out, safety Jett Washington, 6-5 and exceptionally fluid, a ballhawk and hitter.
"I think the options are limitless when you see a player of Jett's ability," Dan Lanning said at his signing day press conference. "He's got great ball instincts. He can attack, he's a physical hitter. You look at a lot of the things we were able to do with Dillon Thieneman on the stack position. I think Jett translates to a lot of that stuff really well as well."
Washington has been exposed to tons of elite competition as a high-level AAU basketball player who has played in national tournaments. Stepping in to the next level won't phase him-- he's a product of the Bishop Gorman program in Nevada, which is run like a D-1 operation in terms of facilities and coaching while playing a national schedule.
With Dillon Thieneman likely to move on to the NFL the Ducks need a leader and playmaker at the stack position. Washington will compete immediately for that role.
The second and third players who looks like an immediate starter are the two big tackles Tommy Tofi and Immanuel Iheanacho. A'lique Terry loses four linemen two the NFL after the season and these two have the size and maturity to play early. They're both basketball players, they've both done a lot of camp, clinic and performance lab work; they've both spent a lot of time in the weight room, each a man-child at over 6-6 and 340 pounds.
Physically, they are uncommonly ready to move 22-year-old seniors off the ball.
Biggest home run threat
It's hard to pick one with the Texas terrors Jalen Lott and Tradarian Ball, elite tight end prospect Kendre Harrison and Messiah Hampton all vying for that role, but Gatlin Bair has 10.15 sprinter's speed in the 100 meters, which makes him one of the fastest players in college football the moment he puts on pads.
Jalen Lott is explosive, however, a 7-0 high jumper with a 40-inch vertical leap. He scored 20 total touchdowns in 4A Texas football as a junior.
Most NFL potential
There could be 7-10 NFL players in this group, but out of the gate that honor has to go to Iheanacho. Offensive tackles with that kind of wingspan, already pushing up 600 pounds in the squat, he has first round measurables today, though he may eventually have to move inside. At 6-6.5, 345 pounds, he's a prototype of an earth mover and pass protector, and he's been tested at all-star events and with two trips to the Under Armour All-America game.
Biggest recruiting coup
That has to start with signing all 21 despite losing both coordinators to head coaching jobs the week of Early Signing Period. So far the biggest "get" has to be hanging on to Jalen Lott in spite of the move to try and flip Chris Henry.
Going into Texas and stealing two of the most dynamic athletes in the state, as well as nabbing 5-star edge rusher Anthony "Tank" Jones out of Alabama, proves Oregon is a national power in recruiting, not that there was room to doubt it.
Biggest find, diamond in the rough
That's another thing proved on the practice field but one guy to watch closely in his Spring Game snaps and special teams reps is Florida defensive back Xavier Lherisse. He's wired, fast, and tough, a playmaker who filled a lot of roles at Eau Gallie. He has elite conditioning and shined at 7-on-7 and combine events among higher rated players. Also intriguing is Cherry Creek linebacker Bralon Hodge, 6-3, 212. That's a good program. They did a brilliant job of developing current Duck Blake Purchase.
The Ducks need to upgrade their linebacker play with Boettcher leaving and some of the underclassmen slowed by injuries.