Oregon Football Recruiting: Predicting All the Recruits Who Will Sign on NSD
With national signing day only two days away, the Oregon Ducks are inching toward signing one of the best recruiting classes in school history. The Ducks currently have 21 commitments and the No. 15 class in the country, according to 247Sports.
Though the Ducks have mostly wrapped up their recruiting class, there are still a few more top targets that the team is pursuing. Moreover, this is college football. There’s a lot that can happen between now and the afternoon of Feb. 4.
Let’s look at each position and predict who will join the Ducks on signing day.
Quarterback
1 of 8
Commits: Travis Waller (4-star from Anaheim, California)
Remaining targets: None
The Ducks made a late play to grab 5-star quarterback Kyler Murray; however, that attempt ultimately fell short when Murray reaffirmed his commitment to Texas A&M. While Oregon’s only incoming high school recruit will be Waller, the Ducks may be bringing in another QB in the form of Eastern Washington’s Vernon Adams Jr., per Jim Allen of The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington).
Prediction: Travis Waller
Running Back
2 of 8
Commits: Taj Griffin (4-star from Powder Springs, Georgia), Malik Lovette (4-star from Redlands, California)
Remaining targets: None
The Ducks have a history of bringing in some of the best running backs in the nation, and this year is no exception. The No. 1 all-purpose back, Taj Griffin, has already enrolled at Oregon, and the No. 3 APB, Malik Lovette, is expected to join him next season. The Ducks will also have the services of the No. 4 APB from the 2014 class, Kirk Merritt, though he's expected to be a wide receiver at Oregon.
Prediction: Taj Griffin, Malik Lovette
Wide Receiver
3 of 8
Commits: Alex Ofodile (4-star from Columbia, Missouri), Kirk Merritt (4-star from Destrehan, Louisiana)
Remaining targets: None
While Oregon has only signed two wide receivers as of this afternoon, the two they've signed are big-time players. Ofodile, who is 6’2” and 185 pounds, has already enrolled at Oregon and will participate in spring practice with the team. Oregon has a ton of firepower at the offensive skill positions, and wide receiver wasn’t a position of need this season. Merritt, the No. 4 APB who committed to Oregon on Feb. 2 (per Andrew Nemec of The Oregonian), is more than likely going to be a wide receiver for the Ducks. Think of Merritt, who won the Nike SPARQ National Championship, as the next Byron Marshall.
Prediction: Alex Ofodile, Kirk Merritt
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Tight End
4 of 8
Commits: Jacob Breeland (3-star from Mission Viejo, California)
Remaining targets: None
Oregon already has three tight ends on the roster in Evan Baylis, Johnny Mundt and Pharaoh Brown. Brown, a member of the 2014 first-team All-Pac-12, faces an uphill battle to play in 2015 due to a severe leg injury suffered against Utah, per Tyson Alger of The Oregonian. Baylis proved himself to be a worthwhile replacement late in the season and will be the starter going into 2015. The addition of Breeland, the No. 24 tight end in the 2015 class, should be a boost to Oregon’s depth at the position.
Prediction: Jacob Breeland
Offensive Line
5 of 8
Commits: Zach Okun (4-star from Newbury Park, California), Brady Aiello (4-star from Lafayette, California), Shane Lemieux (3-star from Yakima, Washington), Calvin Throckmorton (3-star from Newport, Washington), Jake Hanson (3-star from Eureka, California), Drayton Carlberg (3-star from Minneapolis)
Remaining targets: Darrin Paulo (4-star from Sacramento, California), Semisi Uluave (4-star from Honolulu)
Oregon has made a big splash on the offensive line in the 2015 class. Not only has it brought in the No. 20 guard in Okun, who has enrolled early, but it also brought in other talented players such as Aiello, Lemieux and Throckmorton. The Ducks still have their sights set on Uluave, a 4-star player who would help complete Oregon’s best offensive line recruiting class in years.
Paulo, who is a load at 6’7”, 330 pounds, is considering Nebraska, Washington State, UCLA and USC, though it is thought Oregon and Nebraska are the leaders. Uluave, 6’5”, 315 pounds, is deciding between Texas Tech, Oregon, UCLA, Cal and Mississippi State.
The Ducks are in a good position to grab Uluave, who I believe will choose Oregon.
Prediction: Zach Okun, Brady Aiello, Shane Lemieux, Calvin Throckmorton, Jake Hanson, Drayton Carlberg, Semisi Uluave
Defensive Line
6 of 8
Commits: Canton Kaumatule (5-star from Honolulu), Gus Cumberlander (3-star from Ellenwood, Georgia), Gary Baker (3-star from Upland, California), Rex Manu (3-star from Mililani, Hawaii)
Remaining targets: Mika Tafua (4-star from Makawao, Hawaii)
Oregon took a hit when defensive lineman Arik Armstead decided to jump to the NFL after his junior season. However, luckily for the Ducks, Armstead’s replacement enrolled early in Eugene. Canton Kaumatule may be Oregon’s most important recruit this season and will likely find himself in a position to play a lot in 2015.
Oregon has also gotten commitments from three other 3-star defensive linemen, though it would probably like to add one more before Wednesday.
It was thought that Oregon may be in the running for 5-star lineman Terry Beckner Jr. or 4-star Daishon Neal; however, both players have dropped Oregon from their list. The only lineman Oregon is actively recruiting is Mike Tafua, who is also being pursued by BYU, Washington and USC. Tafua is the No. 17 defensive end in the country, according to 247Sports.
Prediction: Canton Kaumatule, Gus Cumberlander, Gary Baker, Rex Manu
Linebacker
7 of 8
Commits: Fotu Leiato (3-star from Steilacoom, Washington), Paris Bostick (3-star from Santa Monica, California)
Remaining targets: John Houston (4-star from Gardena, California), Josh Smith (4-star from Murfreesboro, Tennessee), Jonah Moi (3-star from Redlands, California)
While Oregon still has a ton of experience at the linebacker spot, the team does need to replace Derrick Malone and Tony Washington. The Ducks have received only two commitments from linebackers so far and are desperate to make a big splash before Feb. 4.
Moi is the most likely remaining target to commit to the Ducks. He took an official visit this past weekend, even though he has verbally committed to Washington State. Moi is currently playing at Riverside Community College.
Houston, who is the best of Oregon’s remaining targets, is considering ASU, Miami, Oklahoma and USC in addition to Oregon. Though it’s thought he will choose USC, the Ducks are still in it.
Lastly, Oregon has made a late attempt to steal linebacker Josh Smith away from Vanderbilt, where he is committed. Smith took an official visit to Eugene this past weekend, along with Moi.
Grabbing Smith, the No. 3 inside linebacker in the country, would be a huge boost to Oregon’s recruiting class. Getting him to leave Tennessee is going to be difficult, but based on his recent official visit, the Ducks may have gotten in the last word.
Prediction: Fotu Leiato, Paris Bostick, Jonah Moi, Josh Smith
Secondary
8 of 8
Commits: Ugo Amadi (3-star from Nashville, Tennessee), Jihree Stewart (3-star from Corona, California), PJ Locke (3-star from Beaumont, Texas), Dylan Kane (3-star from Honolulu)
Remaining targets: None
The Ducks aren’t in danger of losing many recruits. However, Texas offered a scholarship to safety PJ Locke last weekend and it seems as though the Longhorns may edge out the Ducks in this case.
Oregon also lost out on 5-star, No. 1 corner Iman Marshall, who canceled his official visit to Eugene just this past weekend, per Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com.
The Ducks could use some help in the secondary, especially considering three of their four starters from last season won’t be with the team in 2015. However, Oregon has a ton of in-house candidates. Look for the Ducks to focus on keeping their current secondary recruits.
Prediction: Ugo Amadi, Jihree Stewart, Dylan Kane
Statistics courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise stated. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.com. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.
Jason Gold is Bleacher Report’s lead Oregon writer. Follow Jason on Twitter @TheSportsGuy33.
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