Oregon Football Recruiting: Tracking Targets for the 2013 Class

Ever since Chip Kelly has taken over as head coach of the Oregon Ducks, this program has reached three straight BCS bowl games and become one of the top schools in the country. A lot of that has to do with fantastic recruiting.

Last season the Ducks landed 21 talented prospects, including their prized pickup in 5-star offensive lineman Arik Armstead. This year Oregon has started a little slow out of the gate, only receiving three early commitments, but one of those does come from a top running back in Thomas Tyner.

As long as the Ducks continue to recruit well, this is a program that will continue to rise in the Pac-12 and remain a national championship contender. Here are the latest updates on some of the top recruits in 2013 that are really considering picking Oregon as the school of choice.

Peter Kalambayi

Latest Status: Considering Oregon, Clemson, Stanford, Cal and North Carolina, among others.

Kalambayi is considered one of the top middle linebackers in this year's class. He isn't the fastest player, but has great size for the position at 6'2", 235 pounds and is extremely physical. He has a high football IQ and would be a great addition to this Ducks defense.

The 4-star recruit from Matthews, NC has offers from several top programs, but really likes what the Ducks have to offer at the moment.

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“Well their football program is great. They’re a great football program and the way they play on the field, they play with a lot of speed and intensity; everybody plays with a high motor and that’s the kind of guy I am. I feel like I’d fit in with their defense.” Kalambayi told Scout.com.

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The linebacker has already checked out Duke, North Carolina and Virginia and plans to check out Oregon at some point in the recruiting process.

Mike Mitchell

Latest Status: Oregon, Ohio State, Ole Miss and TCU, among others.

Mitchell isn't the biggest linebacker in the world at 6'4", 215 pounds, but he is very fast and still has a physical style to his game. He is a sure tackler, great in run support and plays the game with a very high motor.

The 4-star recruit is still trying to figure out exactly where he will like to make his official visits, but says that he will likely fit the best in Oregon if he had to pick right now.

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“Definitely their defensive style and speed. A lot of these colleges, like Alabama, they like big, heavy linebackers at 250, 260 lbs. Probably, at my weight, I’m about 220, 225 and with my speed, I’d probably fit best there.” Mitchell told Scout.com.

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Stacy Coley

Latest Status: Considering Oklahoma, Florida, Oregon and USC, among others.

Coley is one of the top wide receivers in this year's class and for good reason. He's not the biggest wideout at 6'1", but he makes up for it with fantastic route-running, great hands and by picking up chunks of yards after the catch.

With over 30 offers on the table, Coley has recently named the top 10 schools he is still interested in and Oregon remains in the mix.

"Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Florida, Miami, Oregon, USC and Tennessee," he said. (Via Scout) "A top ten is the best I could do right now. I can't really separate number 10 from 20 though."

Although Coley has eliminated at least 20 schools from the running, don't expect a decision to be made any time soon from the 4-star prospect. He says he will take his time with the process and make his official announcement on national signing day.

Josh McNeil

Latest Status: Considering Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Florida, among others.

McNeil has only played football for one season, but caught 60 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns. He has great speed for somebody who is 6'5", 240 pounds, and he catches the ball very well. After having tons of offers on the table, he has decided to trim that list down to just 12 schools and Oregon is still in the running for this 4-star tight end.

"Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Miami, North Carolina State, Oregon, California, South Carolina, Clemson, East Carolina and Notre Dame" McNeil told Scout.com.

The tight end has visits scheduled with schools like Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia, but it's never wise to count out Oregon when it comes to a top offensive player.

Michael Hutchings

Latest Status: Considering Cal, USC, Notre Dame, Michigan and Oregon, among others.

Hutchings is a versatile outside linebacker who is terrific at generating pressure on the quarterback and dropping back into coverage. He can do a little bit of everything, including delivering a devastating hit to the ball carrier.

With the 4-star linebacker being from Concord, CA, the west coast schools are high on the list. USC is up there at the top, but Oregon is not a school to write off just yet.

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“Along with USC, it’s Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon and Washington,” Hutchings said. “I might add more and get to a top eight and just keep it right there during the season so I can focus on my senior year. I could also just go ahead and choose to commit before the season and get it over with." (Via Scout)

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Hutchings will make a few unofficial visits during the summer and then check out some of the schools he's never seen such as Miami and Notre Dame.

Eddie Vanderdoes

Latest Status: Considering Cal, USC, Oregon and UCLA, among others.

Vanderdoes seems like wherever he goes, he will likely end up staying very close to home (Auburn, CA). One of this year's top defensive tackles has offers from UCLA, USC, Cal and Oregon. He has already checked out most of those schools and has the Ducks extremely high on that list.

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“Huge. I have a lot of interest in Oregon. It’s a great program, I like coach Azz and what he has to say; he says he’d take care of me, which I really like to hear. You like to have a coach that’s going to take care of you and they’re not going to B.S. you at all. I really like that.” Vanderdoes said. (Via Scout)

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The 5-star recruit will make his unofficial visit to Oregon on June 11th. 

Nico Falah

Latest Status: Considering USC, UCLA, Washington, Oregon and Tennessee, among others.

Falah is considered one of the top offensive tackles in this year's class at 6'4", 275 pounds. He has a mean streak to his game, is very effective blocking downfield and has a great combination of strength and athleticism.

Much like Vanderdoes, Falah is from CA, and it looks like he very well may end up staying in the area. One of the schools that have recruited the 5-star offensive lineman the most is the Oregon Ducks.

“Oregon has been by the school probably the most. I like them a lot; I like the offense they run and I could compete for a spot early.” Falah said. (Via Scout)

Falah is expected to make his commitment a little bit early in the process, so keep an eye open to see if Oregon picked up another top-notch player.

James Quick

Latest Status: Considering Oregon, Louisville, Ohio State and Alabama, among others.

It is very hard to get a read on one of the top wide receivers in this class because he keeps everything close to the vest. But Quick is exactly that at 6'0", 180 pounds and runs terrific routes and has a great set of hands. He can also help contribute on the special team side of things.

There isn't much information out on this 5-star player just year, but his skill set certainly fits Oregon's style so you know he will likely check out the Ducks early. With basketball season over, expect the recruiting process to heat up for this top recruit soon.