Going to copy/paste here for you now. (FWIW, I got back into Portalnd at about noon, had to return rental car, go grocery shopping, take dog to dog park, feed dog, walk dog. So literally you guys were behind only my dog, LOL!)
SURPRISE COMMIT? Not Really
When Adrian Wilson made the trip to Eugene for SNL this past weekend – something was definitely in the making. I know he had already committed to TCU in June and that some will look at such a quick flip in a different light, but this was really all about Will Stein and the familiarity he had with the offensive system, Stein, and analyst Antonio Parks.
Everything about the trip exceeded what he had expected headed into the weekend and the nature of the plan the staff had for Wilson was thorough and a dealmaker for the 2025 receiver. He loved the meeting with head coach Dan Lanning and his background. It also does not help that Wilson spent most of his youth in Alaska with Oregon as a dream school. In recruiting, anything can happen and there is almost a year and a half until Wilson signs, but if the offensive staff stays together, this one probably is not as tenuous as it might look to outsiders.
WHERE OREGON STANDS WITH RECRUTIS FROM SNL:
I am not going to try and tell you how everyone looked at the event since there are already multiple reports about the actual competition. The difficult part is that a 7-on-7 format is not necessarily the best method by which to evaluate some positions – especially those in which the skills needed most are not really seen.
But we will look at a few key 2024 recruits and where the Ducks stand.
Dakoda Fields did make the trip and the staff were very well prepared with Fields and a plan for his future. Despite the solid weekend, I did not expect a decommit or flip during the weekend. Might that come in the future? Difficult to tell. What I do know is that there will be some official visits for Fields in the fall and I expect that to make a significant difference with his status.
The Ducks are definitely not going to give up because Fields has been a primary defensive back target for quite some time. I am not going to predict a flip, but Fields is someone who could definitely still be in play for Oregon.
SURPRISE COMMIT? Not Really
When Adrian Wilson made the trip to Eugene for SNL this past weekend – something was definitely in the making. I know he had already committed to TCU in June and that some will look at such a quick flip in a different light, but this was really all about Will Stein and the familiarity he had with the offensive system, Stein, and analyst Antonio Parks.
Everything about the trip exceeded what he had expected headed into the weekend and the nature of the plan the staff had for Wilson was thorough and a dealmaker for the 2025 receiver. He loved the meeting with head coach Dan Lanning and his background. It also does not help that Wilson spent most of his youth in Alaska with Oregon as a dream school. In recruiting, anything can happen and there is almost a year and a half until Wilson signs, but if the offensive staff stays together, this one probably is not as tenuous as it might look to outsiders.
WHERE OREGON STANDS WITH RECRUTIS FROM SNL:
I am not going to try and tell you how everyone looked at the event since there are already multiple reports about the actual competition. The difficult part is that a 7-on-7 format is not necessarily the best method by which to evaluate some positions – especially those in which the skills needed most are not really seen.
But we will look at a few key 2024 recruits and where the Ducks stand.
Dakoda Fields did make the trip and the staff were very well prepared with Fields and a plan for his future. Despite the solid weekend, I did not expect a decommit or flip during the weekend. Might that come in the future? Difficult to tell. What I do know is that there will be some official visits for Fields in the fall and I expect that to make a significant difference with his status.
The Ducks are definitely not going to give up because Fields has been a primary defensive back target for quite some time. I am not going to predict a flip, but Fields is someone who could definitely still be in play for Oregon.
- Williams Nwaneri definitely showed everyone what an absolute freak of nature he is on the defensive line, but this is still one of the longer longshots out there for the Ducks. It was a massive win to get him in town for SNL and the staff spent a lot of time and energy showing him a plan for the future. I think that an official visit in season will still be needed to really even be at the table with a chance, but the Ducks have done a fantastic job getting this far with him.
- Jason Brown looked really good catching the ball out of the backfield and has great fluidity. I have said for some time that as long as the Ducks take two running backs, I think Brown is the second one in this class. The staff are still holding out some hope for Nate Frazier despite everyone with a prediction going with Georgia, Oregon is still going to take a swing. I think in the end, that Frazier picks Georgia and that Oregon takes Brown as the second back in this class.
- Akili Smith, Jr. has started to pick up some predictions for Oregon. No one really needed to see his performance here because the staff saw him earlier this summer at a camp and it was very clear that they are all in here with Smith as the target for the class of 2025. There was a lot to like about Smith and this staff is not taking his legacy status for granted in their recruiting approach. While you always want to embrace players that are legacy guys during the season, it is critical that their offspring be recruited for their own value and that is something that Will Stein and Dan Lanning have done very well here. I think even if his father was not an Oregon legacy, Smith would be the likely leader in the clubhouse to be the QB for the Oregon 2025 recruiting class.
- Bear Bachmeier may have been the most consistent passer on Saturday – and he has had an outstanding camp season – if it were not for Smith, Bachmeier would be the next guy up for Oregon at QB for the 2025 class. I don’t think that Oregon takes two QBs in that class at this point, so if something changes and Smith chooses a different school, definitely keep on eye on Bachmeier. He really does love the program and the staff and a case could be made for him as the top choice for the Ducks. I still think that goes to Smith, but he is definitely someone on whom to keep an eye.
- There is another Molden who is already catching everyone’s eye. Class of 2027 defensive back Josiah Molden did not look like an incoming high school freshman. At 6-0, 175-pounds, he is already a very solid prospect and he is going to get a lot better over the next four seasons. Absolutely keep an eye on his development. Somehow, I don’t think that the current staff would let a player of his caliber slip away.
- St. Frances in Baltimore is going to be important for Oregon moving forward. The Ducks already have two commits in the class of 2024 from St. Frances with Michael can Buren and of Ify Obidegwu, but two of their 2025 teammates were at the camp and looked really good with Blake Woodby and Kevyn Humes looking as if they will be the next guys up for St. Frances. With two teammates already committed and a defensive backfield that is getting very deep, very quickly, keep an eye on their names for the future.
- The Ducks offered 2026 receiver Jalen Lott a bit before SNL and he showed why when he was out there. It is a long way to 2026, but this was a legitimate offer. This is the 13th offer for the rising Texas speedster adding to his offers from Baylor, Michigan, Missouri, North Texas, Ole Miss, San Diego State, SMU, TCU, Texas State, UNLV, UTSA, and Wisconsin. Still a long way to go, though.
- Jayshon Limar is another class of 2025 player. The younger brother of current Duck Jayden is already 6-1, 205-pounds and has the potential to continue growing – to the point where he could also be an elite linebacker. He spent a lot of time with his brother this week and weekend on campus and the Ducks are obviously going to be in good shape here.
- With Aaron Scott not at all shocking the world with his commitment to Ohio State and JUCO star Sione Laulea visiting other schools with no specific timeline for a commitment there is talk that 2024 safety prospect Elyjah Gordon – who does not yet have an offer from Oregon – could be someone that really earned it with a great SNL camp for the Rancho Cucamonga (CA) 6-foot-3, 175-pound prospect.
