Twelve days between commitments feels like it qualifies as a cold snap if you’re an ardent follower of Oregon football recruiting. Sure, the Ducks picked up an in-state commitment from 2022 four-star prospect Emar’rion Winston last Thursday, but it’s been 12 days since a 2021 prospect made the call for Oregon.

In the world of college football recruiting, this also distinctly qualifies as a first-world problem.

Indeed, the 2021 recruiting cycle has bore tremendous fruit for the Ducks thus far, as Mario Cristobal and his Oregon coaching staff had been on a torrid pace, picking up a commitment seemingly every week since the start of May. That so-called “cold snap” effectively ended Thursday, however, as the Ducks picked up the 18th verbal commitment to their 2021 recruiting class with the addition of Spanish Fort (Ala.) three-star defensive end/linebacker Christian Burkhalter.

DREAMS COME TRUE 💚✌🏼 #TakeFlight21 pic.twitter.com/iUQevlHP26

— Christian Burkhalter (@Christianburk_) July 23, 2020

Ranked as the nation’s 34th-best weakside defensive end per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, Burkhalter is likely destined for an outside linebacker role at Oregon, where he joins four-star pledge Keith Brown, and three-star commits Brandon Buckner and Terrell Tilmon as the linebackers in this 2021 class for the Ducks. He’s also the fifth player from the state of Alabama to commit to the Ducks in the last three cycles, joining Trikweze Bridges (2019), DJ James (2019), Robby Ashford (2020), and Jayson Jones (2020).

Despite his three-star status, Burkhalter’s recruitment has resembled that of an elite-tier recruit, as the Yellowhammer State native has picked up 20 offers from notable programs such as Nebraska, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, and Tennessee. His commitment gives the Ducks the nation’s third-best recruiting class for the 2021 cycle according to 247Sports’ Composite Team Rankings, trailing only Ohio State and Alabama for the nation’s top spot.

Below we take a closer look at Burkhalter’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:

• Questions about ability in coverage: It would seem that the physical tools are in place for Burkhalter to be a player who can perform well in coverage, though the hard evidence doesn’t necessarily reveal itself on tape. His ability to hold up covering backs and receivers will likely determine just how expansive Burkhalter’s role will be on defense.
• Developing frame: To say that a 6-foot-5, 230-pound high schooler has a developing frame feels a bit weird, but that’s more or less true in the case of Burkhalter. However, the knock isn’t so much that Burkhalter needs to add weight, but more so, where does Burkhalter’s body take him once he reaches a collegiate strength and conditioning program?

Notable strengths:

• Plays with reckless abandon: Burkhalter is no shrinking violet when you put on the film. His hard-nosed play on the field leaps off the screen with the way he throws his body around, pursues the football, and lays the wood on opposing ball carriers. He’s an energetic, excitable player who exudes toughness and enthusiasm on defense.
• Well built, good athleticism: Though we have questions as to where Burkhalter’s frame could take him when he reaches college, there’s not much to nitpick when you see him move around. He’s well built with terrific length and athleticism, and appears to be a hand-in-glove fit as an edge rusher in Oregon’s defense.
• Showcases impressive explosion: Burkhalter’s ability to fire off the ball and attack the line of scrimmage is what could give him an early edge as he looks to challenge for playing time once he arrives in Eugene. The game comes naturally to him and he’s almost always playing at a high speed.

Overall outlook:

What’s not to love about Christian Burkhalter? His three-star rating doesn’t seem to quite match up with his play on film, his production as a junior (92 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, eight sacks), and the list of offers that he’s garnered to this point. Much like former Spanish Fort alum and current Oregon cornerback DJ James, Burkhalter is a player we feel deep down could be one of the true hidden gems of this class, as he possesses all the necessary attributes to hit the ground running and command early playing time as a freshman.

Expected to make an impact at the STUD or outside linebacker position in Oregon’s defense, Burkhalter will be forced to navigate a loaded position group that is anticipated to feature players like Mase Funa, Adrian Jackson, Treven Ma’ae, Andrew Faoliu, Andrew Johnson, and Jaden Navarrette, as well as fellow 2021 commits in Brandon Buckner and Terrell Tilmon. With that, the competition should be fierce, though of all the incoming freshmen next season, Burkhalter appears to be the one player from the group who is most ready to contribute early in his playing career. The eyes of the recruiting star-gazers may glaze over a bit when they see Burkhalter’s name, but this should be considered a very strong addition to what is quickly shaping up to be another impressive recruiting haul for the Ducks on defense.