Theo Howard to Oregon: Ducks Land 4-Star WR Prospect

Class of 2016 wide receiver Theo Howard announced Sunday that he will be playing his college football at the University of Oregon.     

The 4-star recruit, ranked as the 30th-best receiver in the country by 247Sports' composite rankings, took to Twitter to break the news of his huge decision:

Scout.com's Brandon Huffman believes the Ducks landed a marquee player in Howard, who hails from Westlake High School and Thousand Oaks, California:

Justin Hopkins of 247Sports highlights what Howard's commitment means for Oregon's 2016 crop of talent:

Listed at 6'0" and 170 pounds, Howard relies on his speed and athleticism in the open field to shine on the gridiron. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because those skills fit right in with what Oregon likes to do.

The Ducks' spread-style, uptempo offensive attack creates favorable matchups for skill players like Howard to make defenders miss in space, keep opponents on their heels and create explosive plays.

In addition to being a devastating force after the catch, Howard has a knack for high-pointing the ball and making acrobatic catches. His instincts when the ball is in the air and his long speed make Howard a viable deep threat.

With a bit more added strength in the weight room once he hits college, there's no telling what Howard's ceiling might be, but it seems quite high at the moment.   

Howard still has plenty of interested schools and a lot of time between now and when he actually embarks on his collegiate career in Eugene. While his mind could change, Oregon has to feel thrilled that it persuaded a playmaker like Howard to decide on the Ducks so early on.