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: 74/85
Scholarship seniors on current roster: 9
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:
**No change since last week**
Max. number expected to take: 5
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
Even with the four receivers currently committed, Oregon will look to add at least one more receiver this cycle. The Ducks have shifted their focus almost exclusively to five-star prospect Kyle Ford at this present moment. Following his unofficial visit to Eugene in early June, Oregon catapulted towards the top of Ford’s list of favorites. Ford was also on campus for his official visit during Oregon’s win over UCLA in November, as the Ducks remain squarely in the hunt for his signature this winter. USC, Washington, and Colorado are the other main schools to keep an eye on here. 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:
- Added Dawand Jones to the list
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/UP
(3*) Dawand Jones – 6’8″, 360 lbs. – Indianapolis (Ind.) Ben Davis – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
Oregon landed what was arguably their top recruiting target this cycle in four-star offensive tackle Jonah Tauanu’u back in August. With his pledge, the Ducks have solidified their core group of offensive line targets for this cycle, and may be 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. The Lehi, Utah native officially visited Eugene to take in Oregon’s victory over UCLA. 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. Jones received an offer from the Ducks on Sunday and could be a player that comes into play closer to the start of the early signing period.
Defensive linemen:
- Wright’s trending designation has moved from UP to IDLE
- Added Sam Okuayinonu to the list
- Added Brandon Dorlus to the list
- Added LaRon Stokes to the list
- Ishmael Sopsher has been removed due to lack of interest
- Khris Bogle has been removed due to lack of interest
- Jaquaze Sorrells has been removed due to lack of interest
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:
(5*) Kayvon Thibodeaux – 6’5″, 239 lbs. – Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Oaks Christian – Probability/Trending: HIGH/UP
(3*) Smith Vilbert – 6’7″, 250 lbs. – Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/UP
(3*) Brandon Dorlus (**VIRGINIA TECH COMMIT**) – 6’3″, 270 lbs. – Deerfield Beach (Fla.) – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/UP
(N/A) Sam Okuayinonu – 6’3″, 270 lbs. – Lowell (Mass.) via Virginia (Minn.) Mesabi Range College – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/UP
(4*) Siaki Ika – 6’3″, 347 lbs. – Salt Lake City (Utah) East – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Stephon Wright – 6’3″, 260 lbs. – Los Angeles (Calif.) Cathedral – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Ty Robinson – 6’5″, 260 lbs. – Gilbert (Ariz.) Higley – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/DOWN
(4*) Drake Jackson – 6’4″, 260 lbs. – Corona (Calif.) Centennial – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/DOWN
(N/A) LaRon Stokes – 6’4″, 245 lbs. – Miami (Okla.) Northeastern Oklahoma A&M – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
Defensive line will 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 a guy like Thibodeaux could also figure as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker. At this juncture, the Ducks look to be in a strong position for Thibodeaux, who by all accounts seemed to have a phenomenal experience while on campus for his official visit back on October 13. Oregon, Alabama, and Florida State are considered the top contenders for his signature at this time. Ika officially visited Eugene to take in the Ducks’ win over UCLA and have similarly put themselves in great spot for the Salt Lake City native, who is also giving strong consideration to Alabama. Dorlus, Okuayinonu, and Stokes are the newest additions to the target list. Of the three, Dorlus and Okuayinonu, along with Vilbert, are the players current surging for the Ducks along the defensive line. Vilbert officially visited Eugene this past weekend.
Linebacker:
- Removed Jared Casey from the list of current commits
Max. number expected to take: 6
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*) Caleb Johnson – 6’1″, 215 lbs. – Fullerton (Calif.) Fullerton College via Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Daniel Heimuli – 6’2″, 225 lbs. – Menlo Park (Calif.) Menlo-Atherton – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(3*) Ralen Goforth – 6’2″, 224 lbs. – Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco – Probability/Trending: LOW/DOWN
(4*) Laiatu Latu – 6’5″, 242 lbs. – Carmichael (Calif.) Jesuit – Probability/Trending: LOW/DOWN
(4*) Henry To’oto’o – 6’2″, 210 lbs. – Concord (Calif.) De La Salle – Probability/Trending: LOW/DOWN
Jared Casey has been removed from the target list after his de-commitment from Oregon. Funa and Eaford remain as the Ducks’ four-star recruits at linebacker. 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. There’s a good chance that the Ducks are finished at linebacker for this cycle, but keep an eye on any potential developments that take place with Heimuli. Oregon was recently listed as a finalist for Heimuli, who is also considering Alabama, Utah, Washington, and UCLA. Johnson officially visited Eugene this past weekend and will make his final decision within the next few weeks.
Defensive back:
- Removed Jeremiah Criddell from the list of current commits
Max. number expected to take: 6
Current commits:
(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:
(3*) Connor Grieco – 6’3″, 198 lbs. – Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional – Probability/Trending: HIGH/UP
(4*) Chris Steele – 6’2″, 187 lbs. – Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Trent McDuffie – 5’11”, 175 lbs. – Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Kaiir Elam – 6’1″, 182 lbs. – North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(4*) Noa Pola-Gates – 6’2″, 180 lbs. – Gilbert (Ariz.) Williams Field – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
After recently firming up his verbal commitment to Oregon, four-star recruit Jeremiah Criddell de-committed from the Ducks last week. Though he says the Ducks are still in the hunt, Oklahoma is believed to be his preferred choice after taking an official visit to Norman in November. Defensive back has been a major position of need for the Ducks entering the 2019 cycle, and as it stands right now, they’ve done a tremendous job addressing that need. Wright and Blades are two of the top corners on the West Coast, while Bridges is an impact safety with great long-term potential. The firmness of Blades’ commitment to Oregon will be something fans will want to continue keeping a watchful eye on after Blades took an official visit to Texas A&M earlier this fall. The Ducks should still be considered the strong favorite to land him, but his flirtation is worth noting. McDuffie unofficially visited Eugene for the Stanford game and is unsure if he’ll take an official visit to Eugene before signing. The Cardinal and Washington are believed to be the current leaders for the talented four-star recruit. Chris Steele de-committed from USC in October and recently indicated that Oregon, Florida, and Oklahoma comprise his top three, though USC also still remains in the race. Elam and Grieco are the two latest additions to the Big Board. Grieco could be one to watch after officially visiting Eugene with high school teammate and fellow Oregon target Smith Vilbert this past weekend.
In a surprise to absolutely no one, Joey Capra has decommitted, a day after his brother announced his transfer from Oregon. Wonder if this opening makes Sagapolu delay his LDS mission and enroll directly out of HS.
I think Oregon will divert its attention to Sagapolu almost exclusively, but don’t be surprised to see them perhaps issue a few more OL offers. The issue now, however, is that there is limited time before the early signing period, so they either need to identify a prospect looking to make a quick flip or find someone that they can pursue going into February.
Really sounds like Oregon is having to fight to keep several of their top recruits late in the early period, either because of the late season slide/difficulties or potential coaching moves at both Oregon and other schools. Lots of rumors of Funa, Tauanu’u, and potentially a couple others looking around at SC and other schools closer to home or ones that are hiring new coaches with previous relationships to the current commits. Have to hope that Oregon’s coaches can stabilize this class to keep this potential top-10 class.