Jared Mayden to Oregon: Ducks Land 4-Star CB Prospect

Jared Mayden, a 4-star cornerback prospect from Sachse High School in Texas, announced on Thursday that he'll play college football for the Oregon Ducks.

Matt Prehm of 247Sports provided a picture of the newest Duck: 

Mayden is the No. 11 player at his position in the 2016 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. Even this early in his football career, he has the build and strength to thrive anywhere in the Oregon secondary.

Listed at 6'0" and 190 pounds, Mayden has the size to play either a physical style of coverage on the outside or even roam around as a safety. His coverage skills are exceptional, as he's able to anticipate routes and has good recovery speed.

Thanks to Mayden's solid frame, he's able to get physical versus the run as well, disengage blockers and make fundamentally sound tackles. This also bodes well for the Ducks if they want to try Mayden elsewhere in the defensive backfield.

The recognition of route concepts and awareness Mayden possesses allow him to often be in the proper place to break up a pass play. Rarely is Mayden caught out of position, and Oregon has to be excited about that in preparing to coach him up.

Another positive element Mayden brings to the gridiron is his vision once the ball is in his hands. He's returned punts at Sachse and appears to have the instincts to do that at the college level as well.

Although he doesn't have the elite top-end speed of some of the other 2016 cornerback recruits, there aren't many more polished products than Mayden in his class. Few defensive backs are as ready to play at the highest NCAA level as he is.

The prominence of pass-happy spread offenses in college means depth in the secondary is at an absolute premium. If Mayden doesn't see significant action as a true freshman, he's at least bound to be a special teams contributor who could log reps as a sub-package player.

In about two years' time, Mayden ought to be able to compete for a starting job. What Oregon can concern itself with right now is figuring out what position to play Mayden as it charts the course for his development and hopefully grooms him to be a college star soon enough.