Zach Okun to Oregon: Ducks Land 4-Star OG Prospect

Mark Helfrich's 2015 recruiting class is off to an impressive start.      

According to The Oregonian's Andrew Greif, 4-star offensive guard Zach Okun has verbally committed to Oregon, giving the Ducks their first commitment of what is sure to be another star-studded group:

The 6'4", 310-pound interior lineman, who committed during his unofficial visit to Eugene, talked about what went into his decision, via 247Sports' Justin Hopkins:

"

I"ve taken a lot of trips and this was just it for me. I felt comfortable here, it just felt natural for me and my family. My parents came with me and they loved it too. I am 100-percent committed to Oregon and I'm done with the process.

I'm done with recruiting. In my mind I'm firmly committed and I won't be taking any other visits.

"

Fellow Pac-12 schools USC and Washington, as well as Notre Dame, were in the mix for the Newbury Park, Calif., native, but his time on campus appeared to seal the deal for the Ducks.     

"I have an outstanding relationship with the coaches and I love their energy," he said. "I love the atmosphere and the other players I met."    

Okun is a tremendous prospect—and a somewhat surprising one, according to 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions—to build the 2015 class around. 

Per 247Sports' composite rankings, he is the No. 166 recruit in the nation, seventh-best offensive guard and 26th-best prospect out of the hotbed that is California. 

Projected to play either center or guard, Okun still has a year of high school to continue to hone his skills. But as 247Sports grades him a 9 out of 10 in run blocking, he already looks like a tremendous fit for Oregon's fast-paced, run-oriented offense. 

He's going to continue to attract offers, but Oregon fans likely don't have anything to worry about, as the 17-year-old sounds confident in his decision. 

This, of course, is only the beginning for Helfrich's staff. 

Oregon has finished with a top-20 class the past four seasons, and with Marcus Mariota at the helm in 2014, the Ducks should continue to serve as a national powerhouse that attracts top recruits from all over.