Kirk Merritt to Oregon: Ducks Land 4-Star RB Prospect

Oregon's offense just became a little more potent for next season after securing the commitment of Kirk Merritt.      

Justin Hopkins of 247Sports reported Merritt's decision Monday night.

Merritt, a 4-star recruit, is the fifth-best all-purpose back and ranks No. 171 overall in the class of 2015, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. Although he's ranked among fellow running backs, the site also lists him as a wide receiver, illustrating his versatility on the offensive side of the ball.

Between his college courtship and national championship-winning performance at The Opening in early July, Merritt had a busy summer, per MaxPreps' Chris Stonebraker:

The SPARQ National Championship acts as a showcase event for the best recruits in the country, much in the same capacity the scouting combine does for NFL draft prospects. His highlights included a 4.46 40-yard dash, per Advanced Digital's Gary Laney:

Merritt also had an 43-inch vertical jump that needs to be seen to be believed, per The Opening:

"It was great getting to compete against the best athletes in the nation," he said in an interview with Rod Walker of The New Orleans Advocate. "It was a humbling experience. I just have to thank my coaches and my trainers for getting me ready for it."

Upon hitting college, Merritt, who is 5'11" and 206 pounds, could transition more permanently to wide receiver. In order for that to happen, though, he'll need to become a much better route-runner. Right now, he's a little too reliant on his athleticism to make plays. He's not going to be able to beat opposing defensive backs on that alone at the next level.

With time and the right kind of coaching, he could blossom into a major threat in the passing game.

More likely, though, Merritt will spend most of his time in the backfield, occasionally lining up in the slot as De'Anthony Thomas did for the Ducks.

When he arrives Oregon, Merritt can immediately become the prototypical home-run threat when he touches the ball. He possesses great straight-line speed and can turn short slants over the middle into a touchdown.

In order to realize his full potential, Merritt will need to add a little bit of strength to become more than just a one-trick pony. That shouldn't be too much of a problem considering his frame will allow him room to grow.

The key will be avoiding adding too much muscle that it takes away from his impressive speed. If Merritt can find that perfect balance, he'll cause matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.  

He may not make a massive impact right away, but in a few years, Merritt could become one of the most explosive players in college football. He's a name fans will want to keep in mind for the future.