To make sense of Oregon’s recruiting landscape over the coming weeks and months, WFOD will be rolling out its 2020 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: 81/85
Scholarship seniors on current roster: 17
Estimated available scholarships for the 2020 class: 21
*Star rating based on 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings*
Quarterback:
**No change since last week**
Max. number expected to take: 2
Current commits:
(4*) Jay Butterfield – 6’6″, 202 lbs. – Brentwood (Calif.) Liberty
Current targets:
(4*) Malik Hornsby – 6’2″, 175 lbs. – Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) CJ Stroud – 6’3″, 194 lbs. – Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/DOWN
Ranked as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country for the 2020 class, Butterfield verbally committed to the Ducks in May and hasn’t wavered since. The Ducks may not be done at the position, however. In August, Oregon extended an offer to Stroud, a player who has enjoyed a meteoric rise up the national recruiting rankings after winning Elite 11 MVP over the summer. He is expected to take his official visit to Oregon for the upcoming Civil War matchup vs. Oregon State. Hornsby, a former verbal commit to North Carolina, is a recent addition to this list and looks to be a possible second option should the Ducks fail to sign Stroud.
Running back:
**No change since last week**
Max. number expected to take: 1
Current commits:
(3*) Trey Benson – 6’0″, 209 lbs. – Greenville (Miss.) St. Joseph
The Ducks are all but done at running back for the 2020 cycle, as Benson was a player that Oregon running backs coach Jim Mastro had his sights set on early. He’s set to join a stacked stable of running backs that could run six deep by the time he arrives on campus.
Wide receiver:
- Bryant’s trending designation has moved from UP to IDLE
Max. number expected to take: 4
Current commits:
(4*) Kris Hutson – 5’11”, 175 lbs. – Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco
(4*) Johnny Wilson – 6’6″, 224 lbs. – Calabasas (Calif.)
Current targets:
(4*) Gary Bryant– 5’11”, 164 lbs. – Corona (Calif.) Centennial – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(3*) Jeremiah Hunter (**CAL COMMIT**) – 6’2″, 178 lbs. – Fresno (Calif.) Central East – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Jermaine Burton (**LSU COMMIT**) – 6’1″, 190 lbs. – Calabasas (Calif.) – Probability/Trending: LOW/DOWN
Wilson and Hutson comprise a strong foundation for what the Ducks hope to accomplish at the wide receiver position during the 2020 cycle. Not only are both players four-star recruits, but both are two of the best skilled position talents on the West Coast. Expect each player to contend for playing time as freshmen. Who rounds out this group with Wilson and Hutson is another question. The recruiting landscape at wide receiver may have changed a bit after the Ducks added USC transfer Devon Williams to the roster. Formerly a four-star recruit and the no. 6 ranked wide receiver in the 2018 class, the addition of Williams may restrict the number of receivers the Ducks ultimately sign in 2020. Don’t ignore the possibility of Bryant, however. USC is the perceived favorite here, but Bryant did officially visit Eugene for Oregon’s narrow win over Washington State and the Ducks left him with plenty to consider. Hunter and Burton are the most recent additions to this list. Burton, the LSU verbal commit, was in Eugene for an official visit for Oregon’s game vs. Colorado, while Hunter, a Cal verbal commit, officially visited Eugene for the game vs. Washington State.
Tight end:
- Washington’s probability to Oregon has moved from LOW to MEDIUM
Max. number expected to take: 2
Current commits:
(3*) Seth Figgins – 6’7″, 225 lbs. – Eugene (Ore.) Sheldon
Current targets:
(4*) D.J. Rogers – 6’3″, 230 lbs. – Sammamish (Wash.) Eastside Catholic – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(5*) Darnell Washington– 6’8″, 261 lbs. – Las Vegas (Nev.) Desert Pines – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(3*) Jack Yary – 6’7″, 249 lbs. – Murrieta (Calif.) Murrieta Valley – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
Tight end, like running back, is a position that is well stocked for the Ducks both in the present and the immediate future. Figgins was the first player to get the ball rolling for the Ducks during the 2020 cycle when he announced his commitment to Oregon in October of 2018. If Oregon is motivated to add another tight end to their recruiting class, Rogers feels like the most likely bet, though don’t count out Washington, who looks to take an official visit to Eugene for the Civil War. Yary is a recent addition to the target list, but he’s prospect worth monitoring considering his recent de-commitment from USC.
Offensive line:
- Removed Levi Rogers from the target list following his commitment to Stanford
Max. number expected to take: 6
Current commits:
(3*) Faaope Laloulu – 6’7″, 390 lbs. – Honolulu (Hawaii) Farrington
(3*) Marcus Harper – 6’4″, 290 lbs. – Chicago (Ill.) Homewood-Flossmoor
(4*) Jonathan Denis – 6’3″, 279 lbs. – Homestead (Fla.) South Dade
(3*) Jaylan Jeffers – 6’6″, 260 lbs. – Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro
(3*) T.J. Bass – 6’5″, 330 lbs. – Deming (Wash.) Mt. Baker via Oroville (Calif.) Butte College
Current targets:
(3*) Alex Harrison – 6’4″, 310 lbs. – Bountiful (Utah) Viewmont – Probability/Trending: LOW/DOWN
Ducks head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal have put in serious work on the recruiting trail this cycle, landing verbal commitments from five prospects along the offensive trenches. With Oregon set to lose six seniors at the end of the 2019 season, the influx of incoming talent should help fill any gaps in terms of depth.
Defensive linemen:
- Added Makius Scott to the target list
- Coates’ trending designation has moved from IDLE to UP
Max. number expected to take: 4
Current commits:
(3*) Jake Shipley – 6’4″, 269 lbs. – Indio (Calif.) Shadow Hills
(3*) Maceal Afaese – 6’5″, 260 lbs. – Kapolei (Hawaii)
(3*) Bradyn Swinson – 6’4″, 245 lbs. – Douglasville (Ga.) Chapel Hill
Current targets:
(3*) Julius Coates (**COLORADO COMMIT**) – 6’6″, 270 lbs. – Rockford (Ill.) Guilford via Scooba (Miss.) East Mississippi Community College – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/UP
(3*) Jaylen Smith – 6’4″, 280 lbs. – Ahoskie (N.C.) Hertford County – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(3*) Makius Scott (**SOUTH CAROLINA COMMIT**) – 6’3″, 303 lbs. – Gainesville (Ga.) – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(3*) Deandre Butler – 6’5″, 280 lbs. – Covington (Ga.) Newton via Independence (Kan.) Independence Community College – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Xavier Carlton – 6’7″, 262 lbs. – Draper (Utah) Juan Diego Catholic – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/DOWN
(3*) Tre’vonn Rybka (**KENTUCKY COMMIT**) – 6’4″, 281 lbs. – Dickson (Tenn.) – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/DOWN
(4*) Jason Harris – 6’7″, 220 lbs. – Gilbert (Ariz.) Higley – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(4*) Omari Thomas – 6’5″, 299 lbs. – Memphis (Tenn.) Briarcrest Christian – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(3*) Jeffrey M’ba – 6’6″, 315 lbs. – Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More via Paris, France – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(4*) Jayson Jones (**ALABAMA COMMIT**) – 6’7″, 340 lbs. – Calera (Ala.) – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
(3*) Kenean Caldwell (**KANSAS COMMIT**) – 6’3″, 336 lbs. – Oak Grove (La.) – Probability/Trending: LOW/IDLE
After reeling in a massive defensive line haul during the 2019 recruiting cycle, it would be somewhat of a surprise to see Oregon replicate those efforts in 2020. Yet, that doesn’t mean they won’t be active in their pursuit of defensive line talent between now and the December and February signing periods. With Shipley, Afaese, and Swinson already in the fold, expect the Ducks to sign no more than four defensive linemen total.
Linebacker:
- Added Muelu Iosefa to the target list
- Flowe’s probability to Oregon has moved from LOW to MEDIUM
Max. number expected to take: 5
Current commits:
(4*) Jaden Navarrette – 6’3″, 235 lbs. – Norco (Calif.)
(3*) Jackson LaDuke – 6’3″, 220 lbs. – Sparks (Nev.) Spanish Springs
Current targets:
(5*) Noah Sewell – 6’2″, 266 lbs. – Orem (Utah) – Probability/Trending: HIGH/UP
(3*) Muelu Iosefa (**CAL COMMIT**) – 6’3″, 212 lbs. – Mililani (Hawaii) – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(5*) Justin Flowe – 6’2″, 225 lbs. – Upland (Calif.) – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
Of all the positions the Ducks could address between now and the end of the 2020 recruiting cycle, linebacker is one that could pay the most dividends. Oregon has already done well with solid verbal commitments from Navarrette and LaDuke, but the ultimate upside for this unit could be sky-scraping. As of now, the Ducks are the odds-on favorite for Sewell, who is the younger brother of Penei. Flowe is the long shot, though the Ducks do have a place in the SoCal product’s top four, which also includes Clemson, Georgia, and Miami (Fla.). He is currently schedule to take his official visit to Eugene for the Civil War. Iosefa is a recent addition to target list who officially visited Eugene for the Ducks’ game vs. Arizona.
Defensive back:
**No change since last week**
Max. number expected to take: 7
Current commits:
(4*) Avantae Williams – 5’11”, 170 lbs. – DeLand (Fla.)
(3*) Peter Latu – 6’4″, 225 lbs. – Spanaway (Wash.) Bethel
(4*) Luke Hill – 5’11”, 180 lbs. – Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy
(4*) Myles Slusher – 6’0″, 181 lbs. – Broken Arrow (Okla.)
(3*) Jared “JJ” Greenfield – 6’0″, 180 lbs. – Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne
(3*) Bennett Williams – 6’0″, 195 lbs. – Mountain View (Calif.) St. Francis via Illinois via San Mateo (Calif.) College of San Mateo
Current targets:
(5*) Kelee Ringo– 6’2″, 205 lbs. – Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/UP
(4*) Dontae Manning – 6’0″, 185 lbs. – Kansas City (Mo.) Raytown – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/UP
(4*) Dwight McGlothern – 6’2″, 180 lbs. – Spring (Texas) Klein Oak – Probability/Trending: MEDIUM/IDLE
(4*) Elijhah Badger– 6’1″, 185 lbs. – Folsom (Calif.) – Probability/Trending: LOW/DOWN
Perhaps the most impressive display of recruiting prowess during the 2020 cycle has come courtesy of Oregon cornerbacks coach Donte Williams, who currently has six highly-touted defensive backs committed to this year’s class. Of the uncommitted prospects the Ducks are pursuing, Kelee Ringo and Dontae Manning are the two biggest fish waiting to be reeled in. Ringo was an official visitor to Eugene for the Colorado game, as Oregon looks to join Texas and Georgia among the frontrunners for the highly touted prospect. Manning was in Eugene for his official visit for the Ducks’ game vs. Arizona, and is strongly considering Texas A&M, Arizona State, and Georgia, in addition to Oregon.
Top Photo: Kansas City (Mo.) Raytown CB Dontae Manning (247Sports)