After going weeks without a verbal commitment between mid-March and the start of May, the Ducks have landed a pair of commitments within the span of a week, as Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro four-star offensive lineman Bram Walden announced his decision to join Oregon’s 2021 recruiting class Friday afternoon.

God Got Me pic.twitter.com/6pV5mZWKDq

— Bram Walden (@bramwalden42) May 8, 2020

Walden’s commitment comes exactly one week after Arlington (Texas) Mansfield Timberview three-star edge rusher Terrell Tilmon pledged to the Ducks, giving Oregon a total of eight commitments to their 2021 class. Walden is the sixth offensive player to pledge to the Ducks during the 2021 recruiting cycle, and is the third offensive lineman, joining Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon three-star Jackson Light and Lehi (Utah) Skyridge three-star Logan Sagapolu, a 2019 commit who is currently set to join the roster in 2021 after completing his Mormon mission. Walden is also the second offensive lineman to commit to Oregon from powerhouse Saguaro High School in consecutive cycles, following in the footsteps of 2020 signee Jaylan Jeffers.

With 26 offers to his name from the likes of Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, USC, and Arizona State, Walden will also arrive in Eugene as one of the nation’s most highly-touted offensive line recruits, ranking as the 14th-best offensive tackle in the country and the top overall prospect in the state of Arizona, per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings. Additionally, Walden’s commitment elevates Oregon to 20th nationally in 247Sports’ Composite Team Rankings.

Below we take a closer look at Walden’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:

• Still coming into his own physically: Listed at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, Walden already possesses the right kind of frame and physical attributes you look for in a high-caliber offensive lineman. However, Walden will need to continue being proactive with his weight training in order to add the requisite size and strength to compete for a job in the Ducks’ o-line rotation in year one.
• Can play even meaner: It feels like nitpicking to a certain degree, but there are instances when you watch Walden on tape where you wish he would demonstrate just a little more relentlessness when it comes to finishing opponents. The demeanor is in place, consistency in this regard is the only thing that wanes.

Notable strengths:

• Great feet, athleticism: Few offensive linemen in the 2021 cycle have the kind of fluid athleticism that Walden possesses. His feet perhaps stand out the most when you watch Walden on tape, as he moves particularly well laterally. Walden also demonstrates the short area burst and agility to be an ultra effective blocker reaching the second level of a defense.
• Positional versatility: As a junior, Walden showed he has the ability to not only play both tackle and guard, but play both positions at a high level. Walden’s athleticism certainly offers him this kind of positional versatility, but it’s clear on film that Walden has a confident grip on the nuances between the two positions.
• Technically sound: Not only does Walden have ideal physical tools to develop into a standout along the offensive line, but it’s obvious he’s also been well coached, as his technique rarely has him out of position against high school competition. This attention to detail and grasp of the fundamentals should put Walden in a position to compete for playing time as a true freshman.

Overall outlook:

The potential of Oregon’s offensive line class in 2021 has been a topic of conversation amongst those who closely follow the Ducks’ recruiting beat since the end of the 2020 cycle. The first significant domino to fall came last October when the Ducks landed a key verbal commitment from Light, who is rated as one of the nation’s top center prospects. Since then, Oregon has been a widely regarded contender, if not leader, for other top offensive line prospects such as Kingsley Suamataia, Jonah Miller, Bryce Foster, and Walden. With Walden now a member of the fold, the anticipation for this class has reached a new, more exciting – and more real – level. In Walden, Ducks head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal land one of the most well-rounded offensive linemen on the West Coast, if not the country. Specifically, his tremendous athleticism and versatility makes him a potential factor at tackle or guard once he arrives on campus next year. With that said, there’s no obvious position for Walden to immediately slide into. In 2021, the Ducks are guaranteed to be without Sam Poutasi and George Moore, and are virtually guaranteed to be without Penei Sewell, who is a likely top five NFL draft pick once his junior season comes to a close. Considering that, Walden will be pressed into competition with the likes of Jonah Tauanu’u, T.J. Bass, Alex Forsyth, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Jonathan Denis, Steven Jones, and a host of others. Not exactly a clear path, though Walden’s raw talent will have in him contention amongst that group. Time will tell where Walden ultimately makes his mark for the Ducks, but the Scottsdale native is a worthy early headliner in what could be a historic offensive line haul for Oregon this cycle.

Top Photo: Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro OL Bram Walden (247Sports)