Ducks Digest

Jackson Powers-Johnson Helping Oregon Ducks' Recruiting Efforts?

When it comes to former Oregon Ducks aiding current recruiting efforts, Las Vegas Raiders' offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson is on the front lines, cheering on the recent commitment of class of 2026 offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho.
Ally Osborne|
Jan 5, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Oregon Ducks former players (from left) Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Troy Dye (43) and quarterback Justin Herbert (10) pose after the game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Oregon Ducks former players (from left) Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Troy Dye (43) and quarterback Justin Herbert (10) pose after the game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Oregon DucksLas Vegas Raiders

When it comes to former Oregon Ducks helping their alma-mater recruit the next generation of talent, second year Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson is leading the way.

From being on the ground at this year's spring game to help recruit, to his encouraging posts on social media, the second-year NFL lineman is doing what he can to boost Oregon's recruiting classes.

After the recent commitment of five-star offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho, the former Ducks star posted a battle cry for other recruits considering joining the flock.

Nov 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates with guard Jackson Powers
Nov 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates with guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

MORE: What 5-Star Recruit Immanuel Iheanacho Said About Dan Lanning, Oregon Ducks

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MORE: Denver Broncos' Troy Franklin Assists Oregon Ducks Recruiting Of 4-Star Davon Benjamin

"MOOOOOOD!!! Let’s go!!! The water is different in SCOLAND, not done yet though…. Still future ducks to be hunted," Powers-Johnson said in a social media post on Thursday.

In that same post, Powers-Johnson included a photo of himself during the 2023 Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon's rival, the Washington Huskies. Though the Huskies took the final Oregon-eligible Pac-12 conference title 34-31, Powers-Johnson recorded an impressive 79.4 pass-blocking grade, a 71.4 run-blocking grade, and an overall 75.1 grade in his last game as a Duck, according to Pro Football Focus.

The former Duck also reposted Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein's celebration post the same day the commitment announcement was made.

Looking to give back to his former program, Powers-Johnson has frequently met up with potential future Ducks since being picked up by the Raiders in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Five-star offensive lineman and Miami commit Jackson Cantwell was considering Oregon, and he spent some time with Powers-Johnson during his visit for the Ducks' spring game. According to an interview with On3 and Cantwell's father, the presence of former Ducks like Powers-Johnson helped boost favor for Oregon with Cantwell along his recruiting journey.

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) against the Arizona State Sun D
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

“Couple key takeaways for Jackson would be their commitment to helping him reach the level of personal development that he is capable of whatever that ends up being," Cantwell's father told On3. "They had Jackson Powers-Johnson come back and be a big part of the weekend and give his testimony for coach Terry and the entire staff. They had Josh Conerly come in and develop and they see Jackson being on a similar path."

Powers-Johnson also spent time with 247 Sports' ranked five-star class of 2027 offensive tackle Kennedy Brown, which the Raiders star posted about on his account as well.

Speaking of professional former Ducks convincing recruits to join the Ducks, Iheanacho referenced former Duck and first-round pick for the Washington Commanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., when discussing why he chose the Ducks over Penn State, Auburn, and LSU on the Pat McAfee show.

"Coach [A'lique] Terry, coach [Dallas] Warmack, coach Cut [Cutter Leftwich], coach [Ryan] Walk, all those guys just had Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round [of the NFL Draft] so that's pretty big," Iheanacho said to McAfee.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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