To make sense of Oregon’s recruiting landscape over the coming weeks and months, WFOD will be rolling out its 2019 Recruiting Big Board at the beginning of every week between now and the final signing period taking place in February. This weekly piece will provide a snapshot of both the recruits currently committed to the Ducks, as well as a high-level look at the prospects Oregon is believed to be currently pursuing, all in an effort to keep you informed and ahead of the curve as the end of the cycle draws near.
Below, we also provide an estimation on the number of available scholarships the Ducks have at their disposal for the given recruiting cycle. Note that these are unofficial counts that are subject to change as a result of ongoing roster fluctuation. You can also find the latest depth chart and scholarship updates by visiting WFOD’s Living Depth Chart.
Scholarships currently taken: 76/85
Scholarship seniors on current roster: 11
Estimated available scholarships for the 2019 class: 20
Quarterback:
Max. number expected to take: 1
Current commits:
(3*) Cale Millen – 6’4″, 190 lbs. – Snoqualmie (Wash.) Mount Si
After landing a commitment from Millen in early May, the Ducks are likely done at quarterback for the 2019 cycle.
Running back:
Max. number expected to take: 3
Current commits:
(3*) Jayvaun Wilson – 6’2″, 210 lbs. – Valencia (Calif.)
(4*) Sean Dollars – 5’10”, 185 lbs. – Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
The Ducks are likely finished at running back unless there is a prospect that comes along that is just too good for this staff to pass up. One player who is still undecided at this point is three-star athlete Giles Jackson; a prospect that Oregon is currently believed to be leading for, who could figure into the mix at either running back or receiver at the next level. For now, however, we won’t count him as a target for this group. It’s worth noting too that Wilson could eventually become a linebacker for the Ducks, though he’s expected to compete for carries at running back when he gets to Eugene.
Wide receiver:
Max. number expected to take: 6
Current commits:
(3*) JR Waters – 6’3″, 185 lbs. – Oxnard (Calif.)
(4*) Josh Delgado – 5’11”, 181 lbs. – Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
(4*) Lance Wilhoite – 6’3″, 186 lbs. – Nashville (Tenn.) Franklin Road Academy
(4*) Mycah Pittman – 5’11”, 195 lbs. – Calabasas (Calif.)
Current targets:
(4*) Jameson Williams – 6’2″, 169 lbs. – St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter College Prep – Probability: HIGH
(4*) Kyle Ford – 6’2″, 209 lbs. – Orange (Calif.) Orange Lutheran – Probability: MEDIUM
(5*) Bru McCoy – 6’3″, 205 lbs. – Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei – Probability: LOW
Even with Waters, Delgado, Wilhoite, and Pittman all solid to the Ducks, Oregon would look to add 1-2 more receivers to this group for this cycle. The speedy Williams has the highest probability of being a Duck, as he has already unofficially visited Oregon twice, with his last visit taking place in July for Saturday Night Live. Following his unofficial visit to Eugene in early June, Oregon catapulted towards the top of Ford’s list of favorites. He’ll look to take an official visit to Eugene sometime this fall, but the Ducks will face major competition from USC for his signature. McCoy unofficially visited the Ducks last year when Willie Taggart was still the head coach, but has not been back to Eugene since. Oklahoma, Texas, and USC are considered three of the favorites for him at the moment.
Tight end:
Max. number expected to take: 2
Current commits:
(4*) Patrick Herbert – 6’5″, 225 lbs. – Eugene (Ore.) Sheldon
Despite the current roster’s depth at tight end, the Ducks were originally targeting two tight ends in this class. Oregon picked up a commitment from Herbert, the brother of Justin, in mid-May, but fell short in their pursuit of two of the West Coast’s best in four-star prospects Ethan Rae and Jude Wolfe, who each committed to USC. With that, Oregon will likely stand pat and use the extra scholarship elsewhere.
Offensive line:
Max. number expected to take: 3
Current commits:
(4*) Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu – 6’7″, 345 lbs. – Henderson (Nev.) Liberty via Corsicana (Texas) Navarro College
(3*) Joey Capra – 6’4″, 275 lbs. – Auburn (Calif.) Placer
Current targets:
(4*) Jonah Tauanu’u – 6’6″, 317 lbs. – Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne – Probability: HIGH
(3*) Logan Sagapolu – 6’3″, 340 lbs. – Lehi (Utah) Skyridge – Probability: MEDIUM
Aumavae-Laulu was a massive addition (in more ways than one), fitting the behemoth mold head coach Mario Cristobal is looking for as he fortifies the offensive trenches in Eugene. Capra, on the hand, doesn’t really fit that prototype, though he plays with a nasty streak and looks like future fit at center for the Ducks. That leaves just enough room for Cristobal to try and squeeze in the hulking frame of Jonah Tauanu’u, arguably the top remaining overall prospect on Oregon’s board. If the Ducks succeed here, and considering the incredible depth they already possess, they are setting themselves up for an extended multi-year run of dominance at the line of scrimmage. Sagapolu is also an option here as an interior lineman, as it’s expected he wouldn’t count towards the roster until 2021 after he returns from his Mormon mission.
Defensive linemen:
Max. number expected to take: 5
Current commits:
(4*) Keyon Ware-Hudson – 6’2″, 305 lbs. – Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
(3*) Suaava Poti – 6’3″, 285 lbs. – Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco
Current targets:
(4*) Drake Jackson – 6’4″, 260 lbs. – Corona (Calif.) Centennial – Probability: HIGH
(4*) Ty Robinson – 6’5″, 260 lbs. – Gilbert (Ariz.) Higley – Probability: MEDIUM
(3*) Treven Ma’ae – 6’4″, 240 lbs. – Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman – Probability: MEDIUM
(3*) Bralen Trice – 6’4″, 225 lbs. – Glendale (Ariz.) Sandra Day O’Connor – Probability: MEDIUM
(4*) Jacob Bandes – 6’3″, 295 lbs. – Antioch (Calif.) Pittsburg – Probability: MEDIUM
(4*) Stephon Wright – 6’3″, 260 lbs. – Los Angeles (Calif.) Cathedral – Probability: MEDIUM
(4*) Khris Bogle – 6’5″, 215 lbs. – Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons – Probability: LOW
(4*) Jaquaze Sorrells – 6’2″, 292 lbs. – Largo (Fla.) – Probability: LOW
(4*) Siaki Ika – 6’3″, 347 lbs. – Salt Lake City (Utah) East – Probability: LOW
(5*) Kayvon Thibodeaux – 6’5″, 239 lbs. – Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Oaks Christian – Probability: LOW
(5*) Ishmael Sopsher – 6’4″, 334 lbs. – Amite (La.) – Probability: LOW
From here on out, expect defensive line to a primary emphasis for the Ducks. Ware-Hudson and Poti are great foundational pieces, but Oregon needs to add at least two more players to feel better about their numbers moving forward. Worth noting that guys like Ma’ae, Trice, Bogle, and Thibodeaux could also figure as hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers. At this juncture, the Ducks look to be in a very good spot for Jackson, but the competition with USC will be intense. Expect Robinson, Ma’ae, Trice, and Bandes to all make official visits to Oregon at some point, and if that happens, don’t be surprised if the Ducks pull one or two players from that group. Oregon was once believed to be the leader for Sorrells, though it seems as if South Carolina has overtaken the Ducks as the frontrunner in recent weeks. Potential official visits from Bogle, Ika, Thibodeaux, and Sopsher could make things interesting, but Oregon has to be considered a long shot for each at this point.
Linebacker:
Max. number expected to take: 4
Current commits:
(4*) Mase Funa – 6’2″, 245 lbs. – Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
(3*) Isaac Townsend – 6’6″, 235 lbs. – Arvada (Colo.) Ralston Valley Senior
(4*) Ge’mon Eaford – 6’1″, 217 lbs. – Deerfield Beach (Fla.)
Current targets:
(3*) Ralen Goforth – 6’2″, 224 lbs. – Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco – Probability: MEDIUM
(3*) Jared Casey – 6’3″, 220 lbs. lbs. – Louisville (Ky.) Ballard – Probability: MEDIUM
(4*) Henry To’oto’o – 6’2″, 210 lbs. – Concord (Calif.) De La Salle – Probability: LOW
(4*) Laiatu Latu – 6’5″, 242 lbs. – Carmichael (Calif.) Jesuit – Probability: LOW
Commitments from four-star talents like Funa and Eaford are tremendous, and both players should continue the sneakily impressive pipeline of talent that the Ducks have been stockpiling at the position over the past few seasons. Add in Townsend, who has the frame to develop into a defensive end, and you have to feel pretty good about where you stand if you’re Oregon defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt. However, there remains a legitimate possibility that the Ducks add one more player to this group. Goforth and Casey feel like the most likely bets at this stage, but keep an eye on any potential developments that take place with To’oto’o and Latu. Both players are likely leaning towards staying in California, but if there’s anything the Ducks have proven, it’s that they can really turn the tide when they get a recruit on campus. To’oto’o or Latu would be outstanding additions to what is already a stellar class.
Defensive back:
Max. number expected to take: 6
Current commits:
(4*) Jeremiah Criddell – 5’11”, 188 lbs. – Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
(4*) Mykael Wright – 5’11”, 180 lbs. – Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne
(4*) Trikweze Bridges – 6’3″, 175 lbs. – Lanett (Ala.)
(4*) Elijah Blades – 6’2″, 170 lbs. – Pasadena (Calif.) John Muir via Yuma (Ariz.) Arizona Western College
Current targets:
(4*) Max Williams – 5’8″, 173 lbs. – Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra – Probability: HIGH
(4*) Trent McDuffie – 5’11”, 175 lbs. – Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco – Probability: HIGH
(4*) Darien Chase – 6’1″, 185 lbs. – Vancouver (Wash.) Union – Probability: MEDIUM
(4*) Isaiah Rutherford – 6’2″, 170 lbs. – Carmichael (Calif.) Jesuit – Probability: MEDIUM
(4*) Noa Pola-Gates – 6’2″, 180 lbs. – Gilbert (Ariz.) Williams Field – Probability: LOW
Defensive back was a major position of need for the Ducks in the 2019, and as it stands right now, they’ve done an unbelievable job of addressing that need. Wright and Blades are two of the top corners on the West Coast, while Criddell and Bridges are two impact safeties with great long-term potential. It’s likely that the Ducks will add one more prospect to this group and call it quits, but if another top level player decides he wants to come (see Noa Poa-Gates), Cristobal and company won’t turn him away.
Athlete:
Max. number expected to take: N/A
Current commits: NONE
Current targets:
(3*) Giles Jackson – 5’8″, 175 lbs. – Oakley (Calif.) Freedom – Probability: HIGH
Of all the prospects featured on this week’s Big Board, Jackson is probably the one who is most likely to commit next. By all accounts, Jackson had an incredible unofficial visit to Eugene for Saturday Night Live over a week ago and solidified his offer with a great performance at the Ducks’ invite-only camp. A fast-riser on the recruiting trail during the offseason, Jackson currently holds offers from notable programs such as USC, Michigan, and Florida, though Oregon is widely believed to be in the driver’s seat. Slot receiver, third-down running back, or return man is where you can expect Jackson to excel when he enters college.