A little over a week after Oxnard (Calif.) three-star prospect JR Waters became the Ducks’ first verbal commitment at wide receiver for the class of 2019, Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff of relentless recruiters notched their second wide receiver commitment Sunday when Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star Josh Delgado made the call for the Ducks.

Listed at 5’11”, 172 lbs., Delgado certainly isn’t the physically imposing receiving target that Waters is, but he may be the more polished, college-ready receiving option overall. Below we take a closer look at Delgado’s 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:

• Lacks elite top-end speed: On film, Delgado isn’t a burner. He has more than enough speed to get open and be a threat after making the catch, but he doesn’t regularly accelerate away from defenders in the way you might typically expect from a four-star caliber receiver of his size and stature.
• Doesn’t excel in jump ball situations: Much of this has to with Delgado’s size (or lack there of). Delgado isn’t the type of receiver to overwhelm opponents with plus size, strength, or athleticism, and thus isn’t a reliable threat elevating over defenders to come up with a catch.

Notable strengths:

• Good in the open field: Despite not possession elite speed and acceleration, Delgado is certainly fast enough to make opposing defenses pay if he finds a crease or wriggles away from a would-be tackler. He’s very comfortable with the ball in his hands and demonstrates a knack for making big plays after the catch.
• Proficient making plays in traffic: Though he’s not the biggest receiver you’ll find, Delgado shows an aptitude for making difficult catches in congested areas. More so than most receivers his size, Delgado exhibits impressive body control and concentration with defenders crowding him.
• Instinctual pass catcher, route runner: Whether it’s out of the slot or split out wide, Delgado shows natural ability as both a route runner and pass catcher. He’s a technician who is smooth coming in and out of his breaks, regularly finding ways to get open despite not having elite physical tools. Catches the ball cleanly.
• Unafraid to get physical: Delgado won’t use his lack of size as an excuse not to roll up his sleeves and get a little dirty when serving as a blocker. He’s a competitor who shows a willingness to take on challenges even when he’s undersized and overmatched.

Overall outlook:

Projecting forward, Delgado looks like an ideal fit operating out of the slot in Oregon’s offense. In many ways, his skill-set is reminiscent of former Duck receiver Keenan Howry. Like Howry, Delgado is an undersized athlete who lacks elite-level explosiveness, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be tremendously productive at the collegiate level. His natural skills as a route runner and pass catcher will give him an opportunity to contribute early, and he has enough shiftiness and speed to be a factor in the return game, particularly as a punt returner. This is a quality addition to a receiving unit that is actively seeking difference makers after falling woefully short of addressing those needs at the end of the 2018 recruiting cycle.