Dividends from Oregon’s monumental spring game recruiting weekend continue to be paid out as the 2020 recruiting cycle rolls on, mirroring a trend that started last April when the Ducks landed seven 2019 verbal commitments in a two-month span.
This time, Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal and the Ducks were rewarded with a verbal commitment from Broken Arrow (Okla.) four-star defensive back Myles Slusher, who pledged to the Ducks Monday.
The time has come……. #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/qR5ujuRSnc
— Myles Slusher (@mylesslusher) April 30, 2019
Ranked as the nation’s 15th-best safety prospect per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, Slusher commits to Oregon after yielding 25 offers from programs such as Texas, Notre Dame, Michigan, LSU, and Alabama.
Slusher is also the third defensive back to commit to Oregon’s surging group of 2020 verbal commitments, joining fellow four-star prospects Avantae Williams and Luke Hill to give the Ducks the nation’s 15th-ranked recruiting class.
Below we take a closer look at Slusher’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 twitch, explosiveness: It’s hard to nitpick Slusher’s flaws because he’s such a well-rounded football player on film, but if there is one notable weakness, it’s that he lacks the kind top end speed and explosiveness found in some of the most elite high school prospects at his position. It won’t keep him from being an impact player at the next level, but it could be an attribute that gets exposed from time to time.
- Bit of a tweener: Measuring in at an even 6-feet and 181 pounds, Slusher doesn’t quite have prototypical measurables for the safety position, and doesn’t quite possess the kind of top-flight athletic traits found in cornerbacks. With proper development, there’s little doubt he’ll find his way onto the field, but where he fits is somewhat up for debate.
Notable strengths:
- Plays with physicality, fundamentals: There aren’t many players in the 2020 class at defensive back that combine physicality with fundamentals as well as Slusher. Though not the most physically imposing player, Slusher packs a wallop when he gets opponents in his crosshairs and is a defender who seldom finds himself out of position whether he’s defending the pass or the run. Should rack up impressive tackle totals at the next level.
- Rangy defender with natural ball skills: As good as Slusher is against the run, he may be just as good in pass coverage. Ballhawking is in his blood, and if the ball is thrown in his vicinity, Slusher has the range to come away with either a deflection or an interception.
- Instinctual: On film, Slusher comes across as one of the more instinctual football players WFOD has evaluated on film this cycle. His nose for the ball and knack for making impact plays is one of his most striking qualities. Feels like a player who won’t need many mental reps before eventually forcing his way onto the field when he arrives on campus.
Overall outlook:
The player who quickly comes to mind when we consider Slusher’s film is former Oregon great Patrick Chung. Like Chung, Slusher isn’t especially eye-catching as a physical specimen, but he leaps off the screen in terms of his natural ability and versatile skill-set as a defensive back. As he continues to mature, he will likely fill a role as a safety in Oregon’s defense, but he could just as easily fill the void as a nickel corner if need be. The Ducks have made the safety position a real priority over the last couple recruiting cycles, which means Slusher may need to wait his turn in order lock down a starting gig. But that doesn’t mean Slusher won’t have a chance to make an early impact, as it’s not hard to picture him solidifying himself as a key member on special teams early in his career. Eventually though, Slusher will get his opportunity, and when he does, we see him developing into a bonafide all-conference performer.