Signing Day has arrived bearing fruit for the Ducks, particularly on defense, as Moorpark (Calif.) Moorpark College linebacker Dru Mathis joins ten other Oregon commitments on that side of the ball.

IM A DUCK! 💚💛🦆🐥 pic.twitter.com/gLhCsfmQkm

— Reece Dru Mathis the Vth (@DruMathis22) December 19, 2018

With the Ducks looking to add another name to their group of incoming linebackers following Jared Casey’s de-commitment from the program in November, Mathis became a preferred choice for the Oregon coaching staff following a last minute official visit to Eugene this past weekend.

A three-star recruit who is ranked as the nation’s third-best JUCO inside linebacker per 247Sports, Mathis chose the Ducks over finalists UCLA and Baylor. He joins four-star prospects Mase Funa and Ge’mon Eaford, along with three-star commit Isaac Townsend, as the fourth linebacker to pledge to Oregon’s historic 2019 recruiting class.

Below we take a closer look at Mathis’ game, examining his weaknesses and strengths, as well as projecting how he may make an impact for the Ducks when he ultimately arrives on campus.

Notable weaknesses:

• Limited evidence of ability in coverage: Mathis has all the tools to be an impactful presence at linebacker at the collegiate level, but one thing that doesn’t reveal itself on tape is his ability in coverage. Playing in the Pac-12 Conference practically demands that you have some coverage skills as a linebacker, and his ability to acquit himself in this regard will likely depend on how much run he receives once he arrives on campus.
• Still coming along as a pass rusher: This is somewhat nitpicky since Mathis already demonstrates great upside as a pass rusher, but in order to truly round out his game, he’ll need to continue working on his pass rushing moves and technique if he’s to reach the levels he’s capable of reaching.

Notable strengths:

• Shows natural ability as a pass rusher: While Mathis still has some things to work on from a pass rushing standpoint, he has already shown that he’s got a pretty nice foundation to build from. He seems to understand leverage and can bend the edge working against opposing offensive tackles.
• Impressive athleticism: For a guy who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Mathis moves like a player who is much lighter. Though not an elite athlete, Mathis is impressive athletically, exhibiting good quickness, fluidity, and sideline-to-sideline speed. 
• Versatility: Mathis’ versatility might be his greatest physical quality. On tape, he toggles almost seamlessly from inside to outside ‘backer, showing the ruggedness and toughness to get off blocks and make plays in traffic, while also possessing the athletic ability to excel in space. He’s an instinctual player who is relentless in the way he attacks the line of scrimmage and opposing ball carriers.

Overall outlook:

The Ducks certainly could have done worse addressing their needs at linebacker after Jared Casey’s decision to de-commit from Oregon’s 2019 recruiting class. In Mathis, the Ducks get a player who appears ready-made to compete for playing time from Day 1. His versatility, build, and athleticism make him an intriguing option for Oregon defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt, who for a second straight season saw his linebacker depth get tested to a critical degree. Mathis will find some what of a cluttered path to the field considering what they Ducks look to return, along with their other incoming commits at linebacker, but he no doubt fills a need for a team that could definitely use some good fortune in terms of health at the the position.