Despite the indefinite delay to fall camp due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the overwhelming uncertainty surrounding the viability of the 2020 season, the momentum that Mario Cristobal and the Oregon staff have had on the 2021 recruiting trail has not subsided since their efforts began shifting into overdrive back in May.

However, with limited spots remaining for the Ducks in this year’s class, Saturday’s verbal commitment from Clovis (Calif.) four-star defensive lineman Keanu Williams may be the last addition Oregon receives to their hailed 2021 recruiting class for the next several weeks.

Here’s the moment that four-star DE Keanu Williams picked the Ducks. pic.twitter.com/bbXpHLFBTm

— Kevin Wade (@KwadeSays) July 12, 2020

Ranked as the no. 20 strongside defensive end in the country per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, Williams is the first true defensive lineman to pledge to the Ducks this cycle, bringing the total number of commitments to the Ducks in 2021 to 17.

After garnering 22 offers from programs across the country, Williams selected Oregon after narrowing his list to a final four that also included Stanford, USC, and UCLA. His commitment solidifies Oregon’s fifth-ranked recruiting class nationally according to 247Sports’ Composite Team Rankings, while also maintaining Oregon’s spot atop the Pac-12 recruiting rankings.

Below we take a closer look at Williams’ 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:

• Needs to play with leverage more consistently: For a player who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, we would like to see Williams play with even better leverage more consistently. Williams’ length, particularly for an interior defensive lineman, is a plus, and there’s room for him to put that physical advantage to use more effectively.
• Lacks polish as a pass rusher: Though Williams isn’t a player you’d necessarily expect to be contending for the team lead in sacks as an interior defensive lineman, he could be better in terms of honing his pass rushing skills. The traits are there, but time spent with Ducks defensive line coach Joe Salave’a will be valuable in developing this area of his game.

Notable strengths:

• Good quickness, agility: For a youngster of his size, Williams moves quite well. Not only is he quick off the snap with enough speed and change of direction ability to cut down ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage, but he’s also light on his feet and is skilled at slipping by defenders to make plays in the backfield.
• Physical at the point of attack: One of the more impressive things about Williams is the way he combines good athleticism with ruggedness at the point of attack. He’s effective in his ability to shed blocks or bull his way past an opponent. He can especially be a handful for interior offensive linemen in close combat.
• Positional versatility: Another valuable quality about Williams is his positional versatility along the defensive line. Though he’ll never be a reliable pass rushing presence off the edge, Williams can do just about everything else up front for a defense. This should provide the Ducks’ defensive staff with tremendous flexibility when it comes to utilizing Williams in different defensive packages.

Overall outlook:

Until today, defensive line had been the one position that the Ducks hadn’t really addressed thus far in the 2021 cycle. Three-star Oregon commits like Terrell Tilmon and Brandon Buckner have spent time listed as defensive ends at various points during their respective recruitments, though neither is expected to play a true defensive line position when they reach college. Williams, on the other hand, can fit just about any role you could dream up for a 6-foot-5, 290-pound wrecking ball in a defensive front.

Whether he’s lined up directly over the center or shaded just off the guard’s outside shoulder, Williams poses a problem for his opponents thanks to his awesome combination of strength, quickness, and athleticism. A young player who already possesses a grown man’s physique, Williams could easily be a player who makes noise early in his career as a Duck. The road, however, figures to be littered with a number of serious challenges.

By the time the 2021 season rolls around, the Ducks are expected to boast a strong contingent of up and coming defensive linemen. Players such as Brandon Dorlus, Popo Aumavae, Keyon Ware-Hudson, and Kristian Williams figure to comprise formidable core along the interior of the defensive line, while guys Jake Shipley, Jayson Jones, Sua’ava Poti, and Jaylen Smith are just a few players that will have at least a year of experience under their belts by the time Williams makes his way to Eugene. Though none of those players necessarily has Williams’ pedigree, it’s a deep group that shouldn’t be expected to surrender much to a prospect as talented as Williams is.

Top Photo: Clovis (Calif.) DL Keanu Williams (247Sports)