There was no game on Oregon’s schedule Saturday, but there’s no doubting the fact the Ducks scored a major victory that could have a resounding impact for the football program for years to come.

Before a national television audience during halftime of the New Mexico Bowl on ESPN, Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Oaks Christian five-star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux announced his verbal commitment to the University of Oregon.

Thibodeaux’s pledge not only elevates the Ducks’ 2019 recruiting class to no. 5 in the country per 247Sports’ Composite Team Rankings, but the commitment moves Thibodeaux past Haloti Ngata for highest rated recruit in program history, regardless of position. 

Thibodeaux, the nation’s no. 2 overall recruit per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, chose the Ducks over a final group consisting of Alabama, Florida State, and Florida.

Below we take a closer look at Thibodeaux’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:

• Needs to add bulk: For all of his natural athletic gifts, Thibodeaux is a player who will need to apply himself in the weight room in order to add bulk to his relatively narrow 6-foot-5, 239-pound frame. His ability to fill out will be key in helping him take the next step in his development as a pass rusher.
• Suspect ability playing in space/coverage: Thibodeaux’s impact at the prep level has been largely due to the tremendous athletic advantage he has over his competition. However, if he’s to add another dimension to his game, he’ll need to consistently prove he can hold up in space. To this point, this has been an area that has lacked considerable development.
• Questionable motor: Though it doesn’t necessarily show through on a highlight reel, one of the biggest knocks on Thibodeaux as a prospect is his motor. At times, his interest has been said to wane, which has led to him disappearing for large stretches of play. Maintaining consistency and motivation could be the difference between him being simply good or a future All-American.

Notable strengths:

• Natural pass rushing skills: Thibodeaux’s ability to get to the quarterback and wreak havoc in the opposing backfield is uncanny. He’s an edge rusher extraordinaire and is a nightmare matchup for blindside protectors when he’s dialed in. In terms of natural god given gifts, few have an advantage over Thibodeaux.
• Tremendous length: Though Thibodeaux’s frame needs to fill out, the length he possesses is simply something that cannot be taught. He plays with impressive leverage against bigger athletes (is a better than anticipated bull rusher) and knows how to use his body to bend the edge and get to the quarterback. Whether he’s batting down balls at the line of scrimmage, stripping ball carriers, or blocking kicks, Thibodeaux’s length poses a major problem for opposing offenses and is what makes him the ultimate difference maker for a defense. 
• Outstanding quickness: Thibodeaux’s first step can be devastating thanks to his staggering quickness off the snap. He has a knack for getting opposing linemen on their heels and defeating them with impressive closing speed once he has a quarterback or ball-carrier in his crosshairs.

Overall outlook:

The Oregon football program finds itself in unprecedented territory following the commitment of the nation’s no. 2 overall prospect, Kayvon Thibodeaux. Everyone expected Mario Cristobal to recruit at a high level when he arrived at Oregon and assumed the head coaching position following Willie Taggart’s departure to Florida State last December. But it’s something else to see his reputation as an elite recruiter pay dividends so quickly. In Thibodeaux, the Ducks have their highest rated recruit in school history and a player who possesses the ability to instantly change the complexion of Oregon’s defense. However, with this lofty billing comes lofty expectations, and managing those expectations will be critical as Thibodeaux’s career in Eugene unfolds. It’s true that Thibodeaux has as much upside as any player who has donned an Oregon uniform – which includes high-profile names such as Ngata, Jonathan Stewart, and De’Anthony Thomas – but he is far from a finished product. In fact, one could argue that Thibodeaux has more to overcome in his development in comparison to those aforementioned players who ultimately achieved legendary status. Still, it’s safe to assume that Thibodeaux will be a player who immediately finds himself in contention for playing time at the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position occupied by departing seniors Jalen Jelks and Justin Hollins. If he manages to put it all together, then the Ducks have added a player capable of changing the face of Oregon football.