What Five-Star Brandon Arrington Said About Oregon Ducks Visit, Dan Lanning

The Oregon Ducks continue to shine on the recruiting trail, hosting a star-studded group of 2026 prospects for their Junior Day event. Among the attendees was five-star athlete Brandon Arrington, whose visit further highlights Oregon's push to secure the nation’s top recruiting class.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning looks to the clock towards the end of the first half as the Oregon Ducks face the Ohio State Buckeyes Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in the quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

EUGENE – The Oregon Ducks are coming off a recruiting weekend, hosting a handful of highly touted recruits from the class of 2026 for the program's Junior Day event. Oregon’s Junior Day is an event where prospective student athletes can get a firsthand look at football facilities, meet with key position coaches, and interact with current players. The Ducks are looking to further establish dominance on the recruiting trail with the 2026 recruiting cycle. Oregon currently boasts the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, ahead of blue-blood programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame and Alabama. 

Multiple highly ranked recruits were in Eugene over the weekend, but one of the most coveted recruits on campus was five-star Brandon Arrington. 

Oregon is one of the top schools for 5-star ATH Brandon Arrington after his visit to Eugene, per @ChadSimmons_🦆

“It is that program that can get you to your max potential."

Read: https://t.co/2OX48ESdPA pic.twitter.com/oAfLRAOyz3

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) January 26, 2025

"It was my first time on campus, and I loved it there," Arrington told DuckTerritory on 247Sports. "I have a lot of interest in Oregon because they have everything I need, and we have all the resources here for me to be great in the future.” 

Arrington, a five-star athlete out of Spring Valley, California, is one of the fastest prospects in the 2026 class. Arrington runs track, where he has a personal best of 10.43 seconds in the 100 meters. He is ranked as the No. 2 athlete in the class of 2026 and the No. 4 prospect in the state of California, according to 247 Sports Composite rankings. 

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The five-star has nearly forty offers from top programs around the nation. The list includes Alabama, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, and more. But arguably Oregon's biggest competitor for Arrington is the Alabama Crimson Tide. 

Arrington’s next visit will be to Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama on February 1 for Alabama's Junior Day. 

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

“I’m nowhere near committing yet, but Bama is definitely going to be a top school in my options,” Arrington told 247Sports. “I know that 100 percent.” 

Alabama currently ranks No. 48 with just one commit, according to 247Sports 2026 recruiting rankings. Alabama's 2026 recruiting class currently includes only four-star cornerback Zyan Gibson, following the de-commitment of several players. However, the Crimson Tide has an opportunity to regain momentum in this cycle by potentially securing a commitment from Arrington. 

Arrington’s junior season boosted his status as an elite talent. Despite sitting out three games. he recorded 10 total touchdowns, one interception, seven pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.

The Oregon Ducks take the field for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

So far, Oregon's 2026 recruiting class consists of 10 commits and is ranked No. 1 nationally. Oregon’s top class is led by tight end Kendre Harrison, offensive lineman Kodi Greene, running back Tradarian Ball, and defensive lineman Bott Mulitalo. 

If Oregon can beat out top programs like Alabama for Arrington, it would bolster Oregon's already elite 2026 class while further establishing the Ducks as one of, if not the most dominant, schools on the recruiting trail.

Securing a commitment from a player of Arrington’s caliber would not only solidify Oregon’s standing as a powerhouse program but also send a strong message to other recruits nationwide. His addition would also likely set the tone for the rest of Oregon’s recruiting efforts.

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