RECRUITING NOTES:
This weekend will be a potentially big recruiting visit weekend. So rather than talking about anything non-recruiting, we will just go straight to the notes for the weekend.
- As I mentioned, there is some talk that
Ryan Pellum is not going to make it to Eugene for an official visit this weekend. That would point to the reality that he is more likely than not to pick USC. That doesn’t mean he is a silent commit – he is not. In fact, folks close to USC have told me that Pellum is still expected to make it to Eugene. Even if he does, though, the same sources feel very confident that USC is the likely destination. Part of that is the limited slots for wide receivers at USC in this class and the need for players to take their spot now or potentially miss out. That does not mean Oregon cannot hit this visit out of the park and give Pellum more to consider. As of right now, if I were to make a prediction, it would be for USC.
- On a good news portion, the Ducks will be hosting four-star wide receiver
Ashton Bethel-Roman this weekend. The Missouri City (TX) standout would be a great get in the wake of losing Tyseer Denmark and likely Ryan Pellum. Bethel-Roman was originally going to visit Arkansas this weekend so this is a nice surprise. Offensive coordinator Will Stein and analyst Antonio Parks – among others – have a strong relationship with Bethel-Roman and love what the 6-2, 165-pound player brings to the field. It is kind of early here, but this is a really strong move for Oregon to get him on campus.
-
Aydin Breland is a big-time visitor scheduled to be on campus this weekend and you can be sure that this is one of those guys that the Ducks would love to land. An elite defensive lineman who could make an early impact and create the kind of defense Dan Lanning wants to run. The good news is that he will be on this visit at the same time that
Tionne Gray – the four-star defensive lineman from St. Louis (MO) Hazelwood Central High School. Gray is going to make a pitch to join up and change the future of Oregon with a defense that can shut teams down and that will be crucial for Oregon.
- It is no coincidence that
Kingston Lopa committed after his visit last weekend and this week predictions are coming out for
Marquis Gallegos to USC. Gallegos is scheduled to visit this weekend, but I am not sure he makes it and as of now, I have heard that the spot for safeties is full. Oregon won’t stop recruiting him – because in today’s day and age, you have to keep recruiting everyone – but this feels pretty solid for USC.
- While the Ducks may be full at safety, they would like to add at least one more cornerback. They are slated to host three-star cornerback
Chris Johnson. The Aledo (TX) High School standout has a strong offer list and has visited Arizona State and Arkansas already. Johnson’s father, Chris Johnson, is an NFL veteran cornerback who played in the league for ten years, mostly with the then-Oakland Raiders and later with the Baltimore Ravens, where he won a Super Bowl.
Johnson is thankful to have his dad as an invaluable resource in his personal development as a player and in navigating the recruiting process. The younger Johnson is looking for a place that will value him as much as he values them and where they can be trusted to stand by everything that was promised during the recruiting process.
He plans on making a commitment in early July and this is another one where I really like the spot the Ducks are in with Johnson. This one feels like a strong Oregon lean right now and a big weekend seems likely to seal this one.
- A few weeks ago,
Jeremiah McClellan felt like a longshot for Oregon but the feeling I get as he makes his visit this weekend is that the Ducks have done a fantastic job and have put themselves in a great spot. It will help that a fellow St. Louis prospect will be in town along with some Missouri flavor already in the locker room and I know McClellan loves wide receiver coach Junior Adams. Ohio State is still going to be a tough team to beat out for a wide receiver so this is not one I am ready to really call for Oregon. I think the Buckeyes seem like the most likely destination, but the weekend visit will be crucial for McClellan and even more so for Oregon who really needs to add some momentum to recruiting.
- I really like where Oregon stands with
Jacqawn McRoy – the three-star offensive lineman from Alabama. He is visiting this weekend and has developed a really strong bond with A’Lique Terry and the Oregon staff so it would not surprise me at all to see Oregon land the massive standout.
- Another name to watch on the offensive line visiting this weekend is
Preston Taumua. The 6-4, 317-pound interior offensive lineman really likes the Oregon staff and is one of those players that had already developed a strong relationship with Terry prior to his return to Eugene. This one feels like if Oregon wants him, then they will be able to get him committed. Would not surprise me to see him pull the trigger within the next week or so.
-
Kamar Mothudi is set to make another visit to Eugen this weekend. He has already made several trips to Eugene and has raved about every visit. After his last trip to Eugene, he told Rivals that there is “just so much excitement in the air — from the caliber of recruits to the fans to the staff. The coaches are absolutely amazing. The way they vibe with their players and their families expresses genuine respect. The love is real. The commitment to making each player reach their highest level of excellence speaks volumes. Mothudi has already taken visits to Utah, Michigan State, Washington, and Texas. This will be his last official visit and I think that it would be a major surprise if he ended up anywhere other than Oregon at this point.
-
Colin Simmons is set to make another unofficial visit this weekend. The elite edge rusher from Duncanville (TX) High School would be a significant coup. Having him on campus with players like
Gray,
Breland, (Oregon commits)
Ify Obidegwu,
Jordan Anderson, Michael Van Buren, and
Jack Ressler could also prove very beneficial. The Ducks are still considered a long shot, but every time they can get Simmons on campus is a good thing.
All for now!