The Oregon Ducks just had seven players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including tight end Kenyon Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman going in the first round.
At the end of the day, almost every single young football player in the country dreams of making it to the NFL, and clearly, Oregon has figured out a formula to make those dreams a reality.
Just one day after the draft, the Ducks and head coach Dan Lanning are already reaping the rewards of having an impressive draft class, landing four-star linebacker Brandon Lockley Jr., who committed to Oregon over powerhouse programs like Alabama, Penn State, and LSU
Lockley, one of the top-15 prospects out of Pennsylvania, is just the latest addition to Lanning's masterclass group of prospects, which currently ranks sixth in the national standings.
Brandon Lockley Jr. snubs home-state Nittany Lions
Despite growing up just three hours from the Penn State Nittany Lions' home in State College, Lockley chose the Ducks, a team located approximately 2,900 miles away from his hometown of Philadelphia.
Lockley ultimately chose Oregon over Penn State because, in his own words, "Oregon felt like home from day one!"
The young linebacker is the Ducks' 11th commit from the class of 2027, joining five-star quarterback Will Mencl, four-star edge linebacker Rashad Streets, four-star cornerback Ai'King Hall, and a slew of other blue-chip prospects.
According to Rivals' Hayes Fawcett, Lockley was down to Oregon, Alabama, LSU, Nebraska, and Duke when he made his final decision, despite most recruiting experts from Rivals and On3 expecting him to commit to the Nittany Lions.
BREAKING: Four-Star LB Brandon Lockley Jr. has Committed to Oregon, he tells me for @Rivals⁰
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 26, 2026
The 6’1 230 LB chose the Ducks over Alabama, LSU, Nebraska, and Duke
⁰“Oregon felt like home from day one. It’s where I belong!! #ScoDucks🦆”⁰⁰https://t.co/4Iddhfm6Wh pic.twitter.com/PU0isG34NE
Even with the commitment, nothing is set in stone, and Lockley has yet to officially shut down his recruitment process, with official visits scheduled over the summer.
Brandon Lockley Jr. official visits schedule
- Alabama Crimson Tide, May 29
- Duke Blue Devils, June 5
- Nebraska Cornhuskers, June 12
- Oregon Ducks, June 19
While Lockley doesn't have an OV scheduled with the Nittany Lions, he has taken six trips to see them over the last two years. His official visit in June will only be the second time he has been to Eugene, also visiting the Ducks at the beginning of April.
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