De-commitments, particularly at this time of the year, are rather commonplace across college football’s recruiting landscape. For the Oregon football program, this natural order of recruiting is perhaps feeling a little more unnatural than usual given the fact they suffered their second de-commitment from their 2021 recruiting class in six days when three-star JUCO prospect Jadarrius Perkins announced via Twitter Saturday that he would be re-opening his recruitment.
— Jadarrius Perkins (@JDKNOWS2100) December 5, 2020
Ranked as the nation’s third-best corner at the junior college level, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Perkins joins four-star wideout Kyron Ware-Hudson as the other de-commitment from the Ducks’ class this cycle; a class that currently ranks fifth nationally per 247Sports’ Composite Team Rankings following Perkins’ decision. Committed to Oregon since late May, Perkins was a player many expected to arrive in Eugene and push for immediate playing time considering the likely departure of Deommodore Lenoir at season’s end.
Perkins also represented a strengthening Oregon pipeline to the southeast, as he was one of 18 prospects from that region of the country in the past three recruiting cycles to either verbally commit or sign with Oregon. In fact, of that group, Perkins was the third Mississippian to make the pledge to head out West, joining 2020 signee Trey Benson and fellow 2021 verbal commit Isaiah Brevard.
With his de-commitment, the Ducks are left with three-star prospects Darren Barkins and Jeffrey Bassa, and four-star recruits Jaylin Davies and Daymon David, as their remaining pledges at defensive back this cycle.
Below, WFOD analyzes Perkins’ de-commitment and how it impacts the Ducks.
The glass half-empty look:
De-commitments never feel great, but it hits different to have two occur within a span of less than a week. With Perkins’ de-commitment, the Ducks are losing out on a player, who – from a physical standpoint – appears ready to come in immediately and contribute. Perkins’ combination of size and speed, coupled with his experience at the JUCO level, made him an ideal candidate (alongside sophomore DJ James and true freshman Dontae Manning) in the competition to replace Lenoir, who is in all likelihood headed to the NFL following the 2020 season.
Without him, the Ducks lose out on a player who had become one of the nation’s fastest-rising prospects over the past several months, and a prospect who would have only helped keep the momentum rolling with the Ducks’ recruiting efforts in that part of the country. Such is the risk associated with pursuing a prospect from outside your natural recruiting footprint. Thus, don’t be surprised to see Perkins ultimately elect to stay closer to his home state of Mississippi, as Mississippi State is believed by many to be the front-runner for his services as a decision draws near.
The glass half-full look:
Though Perkins has decided to re-open his recruitment, it appears as if the door is still wide open for the Ducks to re-gain a commitment from Perkins over the next few weeks. Based on his message posted to Twitter, Perkins maintains a high level of respect for the Oregon coaches and interest in the program at large, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Perkins re-enter the fold should he gain more clarity with his options.
Secondly, the Ducks have done well to address defensive back, and cornerback specifically, this cycle. Even without Perkins, Oregon remains solid for Barkins and Davies, who both have every intention of signing with the Ducks at the start of the early signing period on December 16. Additionally, the Ducks have promising depth already on the current roster in James, Manning, Trikweze Bridges, Daewood Davis, and JJ Greenfield, who will expectedly compete for starting reps at corner in 2021 opposite Mykael Wright.
Who are Oregon’s remaining options at cornerback this cycle?
Assuming Oregon is unable to reel Perkins back in, the options to replace him aren’t exactly numerous in nature. The top name of the remaining uncommitted targets is unquestionably Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola four-star prospect Ceyair Wright. Ranked as the nation’s sixth-best corner per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Wright was already a priority for the Oregon coaching staff prior to Perkins’ decision to de-commit.
With Perkins currently out of the fold, one has to assume that the Ducks’ pursuit of Wright will reach a new level of fervor. However, USC and Arizona State are thought to be the other serious contenders on the shortlist for Wright at this time.
Top Photo: Perkinson (Miss.) Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College CB Jadarrius Perkins (247Sports)