Oregon Football Recruiting: Who Is Dontre Wilson and Why Do the Ducks Want Him?

First of all, you have to admire his style.

DeSoto High School 4-star running back Dontre Wilson announced his decision to attend and play football for the University of Oregon at halftime of his school's spring game, surrounded by his teammates at midfield. (DeSoto is just south of Dallas, Texas.)

Second of all, you have to love the coverage high school football gets in Texas. Wilson was interviewed after Friday night's game by the Dallas Morning News. In the interview, Wilson said of his verbal commitment: "It’s a business decision. I just think that’s the perfect offense for me."

He also indicated Oregon's fast-paced offense gave him the best opportunity to reach the NFL, and he was tired of the recruiting process.

Wilson is a 5'10" 176-pound speedster. He's an athlete in the track-and-field sprinter mold, much like De'Anthony Thomas and LaMichael James, who have seen success at Oregon in recent years. He is an all-purpose back (rated the No. 2 all-purpose back by Rivals.com) and will most likely see action at running back, receiver and returner.

Scoring 20 touchdowns last season, Wilson will be a great fit for the Ducks' fast-paced offense. I'm already drooling over De'Anthony Thomas and Dontre Wilson in the game at the same time in 2014 (if DAT is still around).

Pity any poor slow defenders.

Wilson will be a senior at DeSoto in the fall and has committed to Oregon for 2013. He joins two other 2013 verbal commitments—Thomas Tyner and Evan Voeller, who are both from Oregon.

Tyner is a 5-star RB and figures in the mix as well. If the Ducks' RBs can stay healthy in 2012, the future of this position is suddenly looking so bright I might need my shades. 

Wilson is the first player from outside Oregon to commit, and running backs coach Gary Campbell continues to find recruiting success in Texas. Campbell attended DeSoto's spring game Friday night and was on hand for Wilson's announcement. Campbell is a native of nearby Ennis, Texas.

Wilson reportedly had offers from 21 teams, and he was heavily recruited by Texas, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. Reportedly, he had narrowed his choices to Oregon, Texas and Ohio State. He also had offers from LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Now, if the Ducks can just keep Mack Brown and Major Applewhite away from the kid for the next 10 months!

Follow Kay Jennings at https://twitter.com/#!/KayJenningsPDX.