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:
**No change since last week**
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:
**No change since last week**
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. 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:
- WFOD has moved Williams’s probability to Oregon from MEDIUM to LOW. His trending designation remains unchanged.
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:
(5*) Kyle Ford – 6’2″, 209 lbs. – Orange (Calif.) Orange Lutheran – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/UP
(5*) Bru McCoy – 6’3″, 205 lbs. – Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(4*) Jameson Williams – 6’2″, 169 lbs. – St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter College Prep – Probability/Trending: LOW/DOWN
Even with the four receivers currently committed, Oregon will look to add at least one, and perhaps even two more receivers this cycle. At one point, the speedy Williams may have had the highest probability of being a Duck, having unofficially visited Oregon twice, with his last visit taking place in July for Saturday Night Live. However, momentum between Williams and the Ducks has slowed considerably in recent weeks, which could be a sign that the Ducks feel confident about their chances with other top prospects, namely Kyle Ford. 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:
**No change since last week**
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:
**No change since last week**
Max. number expected to take: 4
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
(4*) Jonah Tauanu’u – 6’6″, 317 lbs. – Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne
Current targets:
(3*) Logan Sagapolu – 6’3″, 340 lbs. – Lehi (Utah) Skyridge – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/DOWN
A few weeks ago, Oregon landed what was arguably their top recruiting target this cycle in four-star offensive tackle Jonah Tauanu’u. With his pledge, the Ducks have solidified their core group of offensive line targets for this cycle, and are likely done at the position provided there are no de-commitments between now and the winter. However, it’s still worth keeping an eye on Sagapolu, who could also be an option here as an interior lineman. If Sagapolu were to commit to the Ducks, it’s expected he wouldn’t count towards the roster until 2021 after he returns from his Mormon mission.
Defensive linemen:
- Added Smith Vilbert to list
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/Trending: HIGH/UP
(4*) Ty Robinson – 6’5″, 260 lbs. – Gilbert (Ariz.) Higley – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Stephon Wright – 6’3″, 260 lbs. – Los Angeles (Calif.) Cathedral – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Siaki Ika – 6’3″, 347 lbs. – Salt Lake City (Utah) East – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(3*) Bralen Trice – 6’4″, 225 lbs. – Glendale (Ariz.) Sandra Day O’Connor – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/DOWN
(5*) Kayvon Thibodeaux – 6’5″, 239 lbs. – Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Oaks Christian – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(3*) Smith Vilbert – 6’7″, 250 lbs. – Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(4*) Khris Bogle – 6’5″, 215 lbs. – Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(5*) Ishmael Sopsher – 6’4″, 334 lbs. – Amite (La.) – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(4*) Jaquaze Sorrells – 6’2″, 292 lbs. – Largo (Fla.) – Probability/Trending: LOW/DOWN
Expect defensive line to be a primary point of emphasis for the Ducks between now and the end of the recruiting cycle. 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. It’s worth noting that guys like Trice, Bogle, and Thibodeaux could also figure as hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers. At this juncture, the Ducks look to be in a strong position for Jackson, though the competition with USC between now and Signing Day will be intense. Trice was a player who had been trending to Oregon in recent weeks, but a recent official visit to Notre Dame is believed to have left quite the impression on Glendale (Ariz.) product. Expected to announce his decision in early October, Trice is currently scheduled to take an official visit to Eugene this upcoming weekend. Oregon was once believed to be the leader for Sorrells, though it seems as if South Carolina and Alabama have emerged as the frontrunners in recent weeks. Potential official visits from Bogle, Ika, Thibodeaux, and Sopsher could make things interesting, but Oregon should be considered a long shot for each at this point. A former basketball player with raw, yet tantalizing physical gifts, Vilbert is the newest addition to the target list.
Linebacker:
**No change since last week**
Max. number expected to take: 5
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.)
(3*) Treven Ma’ae – 6’4″, 240 lbs. – Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman
Current targets:
(3*) Ralen Goforth – 6’2″, 224 lbs. – Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(3*) Jared Casey – 6’3″, 220 lbs. lbs. – Louisville (Ky.) Ballard – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Henry To’oto’o – 6’2″, 210 lbs. – Concord (Calif.) De La Salle – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Laiatu Latu – 6’5″, 242 lbs. – Carmichael (Calif.) Jesuit – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Daniel Heimuli – 6’2″, 225 lbs. – Menlo Park (Calif.) Menlo-Atherton – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
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 and Ma’ae, who each have the frame to potentially develop into defensive ends, 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 safest bets at this stage, but keep an eye on any potential developments that take place with To’oto’o, Latu, and Heimuli. All three players have Oregon towards the top of their respective top lists, and if there’s anything the Ducks have proven, it’s that they can really turn the tide when they get a recruit on campus.
Defensive back:
**No change since last week**
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. – Valencia (Calif.)
(3*) 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*) Isaiah Rutherford – 6’2″, 170 lbs. – Carmichael (Calif.) Jesuit – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/UP
(4*) Max Williams – 5’8″, 173 lbs. – Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Trent McDuffie – 5’11”, 175 lbs. – Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Darien Chase – 6’1″, 185 lbs. – Vancouver (Wash.) Union – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/DOWN
(4*) Noa Pola-Gates – 6’2″, 180 lbs. – Gilbert (Ariz.) Williams Field – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
Defensive back was a major position of need for the Ducks entering the 2019 cycle, 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. The firmness of Blades’ verbal commitment to Oregon will be something fans will want to monitor over the coming months. Blades recently took an official visit to Texas A&M to take in the Aggies’ game versus Clemson. The Ducks should still be considered the strong favorite to land Blades, but his flirtation with other schools is worth noting. Overall, it’s likely that the Ducks will add at least 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. Keep an eye on Rutherford, who has scheduled an official visit this weekend to Eugene.