Oregon Recruiting: 5 Best Recruits Still Left

The Oregon Ducks received good news yesterday when 4-star DE prospect Arik Armstead announced his decision to attend Oregon in the fall. The senior at Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, California chose the Ducks over USC, Auburn, Notre Dame and California.

Armstead is Rivals.com's No. 2-ranked DE prospect (No. 61 overall) and Scout.com's No. 1-ranked OT (No. 2 overall). 

Chip Kelly has to be happy that he convinced the highly-recruited Armstead to join him in Eugene, but National Signing Day isn't until Wednesday. Here are a few uncommitted recruits that the Oregon head coach hopes to reel in by Feb. 1.

Shaq Thompson, S

According to both Scout.com and Rivals.com, Shaq Thompson is committed to California. However, reports say that Thompson has not settled on the school and is still weighing his options after the departure of assistant coach Tosh Lupoi to Washington.

Thompson is Scout.com's and Rivals.com's No. 1-rated safety (Nos. 3 and 4, respectively). The 6'2" DB out of Grant Union High School in Sacramento, California is one of only 32 5-star prospects in this year's recruiting class.

If Thompson committed to Oregon, he would most likely start in 2012 alongside John Boyett. Thompson could possibly fill a huge hole left by departing senior Eddie Pleasant and reinforce an improving secondary.

There is a rumor floating around that Sacramento Bee writer Joe Davidson, who has been following Thompson throughout his high school career, believes that Arik Armstead and Thompson might be a package deal. The two went to high school only 20 miles apart and played in the same league. With Armstead committing to Oregon, does that push the Ducks to the front of the line?

We'll have to wait until Wednesday to know for sure.

Schools being considered: Oregon, California, Washington, UCLA.

Kyle Murphy, OT

This year's recruiting class is loaded at the OT position. Kyle Murphy is Scout.com's No. 4-rated OT (No. 14 overall) and Rivals.com's No. 3-rated OT (No. 19 overall).

Murphy is a 6'7" 275-lb 5-star recruit out of San Clemente High School in San Clemente, California.

According to Scout.com, Murphy is a specialist at pass protection. With an inexperienced Bryan Bennett expected to start in 2012, having a few extra seconds to make his reads will be invaluable. 

Oregon has been criticized recently for its lack of size in the offensive line being its biggest problem against bigger defenses like LSU and Auburn. Murphy's size will go a long way to alleviating those concerns.

Schools being considered: Florida, Stanford, USC, Oregon.

Kwon Alexander, OLB

Kwon Alexander is Scout.com's No. 3-rated OLB (No. 52 overall) and Rivals.com's No. 20-rated OLB (N/R overall).

Alexander attends Oxford High School in Oxford, Alabama, and the home state Crimson Tide are highly recruiting this player.

So, why do I think Oregon has a shot?

First of all, Alexander has shown a fair amount of interest in Oregon (Rivals.com has Oregon listed as a medium level school), although he decided not to visit the campus. That could be because Eugene, Oregon is a long way away from Alabama, or it could be because he has no real interest in becoming a Duck.

Alexander's other top choice besides Alabama is LSU. What do those two schools have in common? Defense. So that makes sense that a defensive player would want to go there.

But going to a defense-minded team means having to compete with other higher-rated players. At Oregon, Alexander would have a much better chance at starting, and he'd still have a legitimate shot at playing for a National Championship.

Schools in consideration: Alabama, LSU, Miami (FL), Oregon, Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Florida State.

Thomas Johnson, WR

That's right, Oregon is also interested in highly-ranked skill position players.

Thomas Johnson, out of Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas, is a bit undersized for a wide receiver at just 6'0" and 180 lbs.

According to Scout.com, Johnson's strengths include his route running and quickness. He's also skilled at running the ball (though, I'm sure Oregon is set at that position), so expect him to be used in reverses and fly sweeps, if he commits to Oregon.

With the graduation of Lavasier Tuinei, Oregon has a need for skilled players at wide receiver. Josh Huff and De'Anthony Thomas contributed to Darron Thomas's success last season, but Oregon could desperately use a deep threat to keep the pressure off of their run game.

The 4-star recruit is Scout.com's No. 8-rated WR (No. 54 overall) and Rivals.com's No. 4 WR (34 overall).

Oregon has had great success nabbing top-ranked recruits from the Lone Star State in recent years, including LaMichael James, Darron Thomas and James's successor at Liberty-Eylau High School, Tra Carson.

Currently, Oregon is on the shortlist of possible destinations for Johnson. Taking into account his visit to Eugene earlier this month, I have to believe the Ducks have to be a favorite.

Schools being considered: Texas A&M, Oregon, TCU and California.

Darreus Rogers, WR

According to Rivals.com, Rogers has already committed to USC, though he's only listed as a "soft verbal." Scout.com has him as uncommitted and with Oregon as a likely school of choice for Darreus Rogers.

The 6'2" 194-lb wide out from Carson, California is rated a 4-star prospect by both agencies. Scout.com has him as the No. 10-rated WR (No. 64 overall) and Rivals.com has him as the No. 29-rated WR (No. 198 overall). 

Oregon has a need for talented receivers and stealing recruits from their Los Angeles counterpart at the last minute seems to be a favorite pastime in Eugene, so don't count Chip Kelly out of the race for Rogers.

Schools being considered: USC, Arizona State, Hawaii, Miami (FL), Oregon, Washington.