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Oregon Ducks Recruit Shines With Impressive Interception Returned for Touchdown

One Oregon Ducks commit turned heads in his most recent high school football matchup, scoring his team's only touchdown with a pick six on defense.
Ally Osborne|
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field before the game during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field before the game during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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Back in June, class of 2027 three-star outside linebacker Sam Ngata announced he shut down his recruitment to lock in his commitment to the Oregon Ducks amidst 11 offers from schools across the country.

Just a few months later, the legacy-Duck is back on the gridiron for his senior high school season, and already has a highlight clip previewing the talent he brings to Eugene.

Oregon fans line up for autographs from Duck players after the Oregon Spring Game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene April 25, 2026
Oregon fans line up for autographs from Duck players after the Oregon Spring Game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene April 25, 2026 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Sam NgataShows Off Pick Six Highlight

In an Instagram story, Ngata posted a highlight clip from the Olympus Titans' Aug. 21 non-conference game against the Skyline Eagles. In this fourth-quarter play, the Eagles' quarterback is snapped the ball with Ngata behind the defensive line on the left side. After penetrating the defensive line, Ngata bats the quarterbacks' pass, then catches the ball to deliver an over 30-yard pick six.

Losing to the Eagles 21-9, Ngata's pick six was the sole touchdown of the night for the Titans' second game of the 2026 season.

Watching the tape, Ngata's ability to read an offense, take the vertical leap needed to bat the pass, then have enough speed to breakaway from potential tackles (with one defensive lineman behind him to protect his back) shows plenty of potential for his college career.

Plus, with 66 total tackles recorded for his junior season, Ngata's splashy play happening so early in the Titans' season is potentially a sign that the soon-to-be Duck may continue to develop and show off his athleticism. This can also be seen through Ngata's Aug. 6 invite to the Navy All American Bowl, occurring in January.

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei (10) tips a pass from James Madison Dukes quarterba
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei (10) tips a pass from James Madison Dukes quarterback Alonza Barnett III (14) during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sam Ngata Joins Oregon After Losses At Linebacker Corps

At 6-3.5, 215 pounds, Ngata chose the Ducks after receiving interest from Utah, Michigan, California, and BYU. Ngata, when entering Oregon's linebacker corps after the 2026 season, finds himself in a younger room with seniors Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei seeing an end to their college eligibility.

In the 2027 class, the Ducks have linebackers Toa Satele, Brayton Feister, Brandon Lockely Jr. committed. Plus, the Ducks are priming fans to see big seasons from sophomores Nasir Wyatt and Oregon State transfer Bleu Dantzler. However, the sheer youth factor hanging with Oregon's outside linebacker corps after the 2026 season feels primed for a young talent like Ngata to potentially rise up through the depth chart.

Haloti Ngata is flanked by teammates at the Civil War Game Saturday, November 19, 2005. (Thomas Patterson/Statesman Journ
- -Haloti Ngata is flanked by teammates at the Civil War Game Saturday, November 19, 2005. (Thomas Patterson/Statesman Journal) Haloti Ngata was Oregon's top recruit in the 2002 recruiting class. No Title | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Royal Oregon Ducks Blood

Ngata is one of a few current and future Ducks with an Oregon football lineage (back up sophomore quarterback Akili "KJ" Smith Jr. being the son of former Oregon quarterback Akili Smith being one of the top-of-mind connections) with the Salt Lake City, Utah resident coming from father and former Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Haloti Ngata.

The elder Ngata played 13 seasons in the NFL after a successful career with the Ducks, being named an All-American in 2005 for his efforts. During his career, Ngata clocked five-time Pro Bowl invites and a Super Bowl XLVII championship ring with the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions.

The younger Ngata has referenced his father a few times during his recruitment to Oregon, with the familial connection appearing to be a sign of pride from the upcoming Duck.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A born and raised Oregonian, Ally Osborne has a passion for sporting events across her home state. She began writing for Oregon Ducks on SI in 2021. Currently a morning talk show host and sports reporter for KOIN 6 and Portland's CW in Portland, Oregon, Ally is engrained in her community. Finding and sharing stories that highlight the unique culture and connectivity sports creates is a part of her DNA. She frequently contributes sports content to KOIN's broadcast and streaming platforms while hosting talk show "Everyday Northwest" and video podcast "Tower Talk Live" every weekday. With Portland being her third-worked television market (second in Oregon), Osborne brings hard-news and feature-reporting experience to compliment her expertise for sports storytelling. Her journalistic endeavors and art creations (many of which are inspired by the Oregon Ducks) can be found on her social media pages. Ally 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. 

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