Oregon Ducks Recruiting: Four-Star Tight End Zac Fares Impressed By Dan Lanning

The Oregon Ducks are picking up steam in the recruitment of 2027 four-star tight end Zac Fares. Oregon coach Dan Lanning is on track to sign four-star tight ends in back-to-back cycles, can the Ducks make it three straight if they land Fares' pledge?

Oregon coach Dan Lanning oversees his team as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the Oregon Ducks spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks are beginning to ramp things up on the recruiting front, especially in the 2027 cycle. One of the top tight ends in the cycle, four-star tight end Zac Fares, has recently visited Oregon and the Ducks have made quite the impression.

Although there is a long way until Fares has to sign, Oregon coach Dan Lanning has the Ducks squarely in the mix for the Nevada native's pledge.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning eyes the scoreboard late in the second half as the No. 12 Oregon Ducks host the No. 10 Utah Utes in Oregon s final home game of the season at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Ncaa Football Oregon Utah Football Utah At Oregon | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Fares spoke with On3 about what some of the most important things he is looking for in a program.

“Two of the main things that matter to me are the coach and the scheme,” Fares said. “I want a coach that will push me and be honest with me and also, a scheme that fits my playing skills. Culture is a big thing for me too.” 

The No. 11 tight end and No. 194 player in the country according to 247Sports Composite, Fares said he was enamored with the Ducks' coaching staff, especially Lanning.

“Coach Drew Mehringer is really cool and coach Dan Lanning is the man with the plan," Fares said.

Mehringer recently earned a new title in addition to tight ends coach. In March, Lanning named him as the co-offensive coordinator after spending the past two seasons solely as a position coach.

Greg Biggins of 247Sports said that Fares is one of the best receiving threats at the position and could earn an early role at the next level.

"Fares is a long, fluid pass catcher and is very good getting open and tracking the football...he has very good ball skills and is one of the more natural pass catchers in the ’27 tight end class. He’s a player you can move around..he’s advanced as a route runner, very polished...projects as a reliable pass catching tight end you can go to on key 3rd down situations," Biggins said.

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Dec 28, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts after the 2022 Holiday Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Oregon has found recent success recruiting the tight end position. Currently, in their 2026 recruiting class, the Ducks' highest rated commit is five-star tight end Kendre Harrison. The North Carolina native is ranked as the No. 1 tight end and No. 13 player in the country according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

During the 2025 recruiting cycle, Oregon reeled in another highy;-regarded tight end in four-star Vander Ploog. Mehringer and the Ducks were able to flip Ploog away from their rivals, the Washington Huskies, and sign him as part of their star-studded recruiting class. The No. 11 tight end and No. 17 player from the state of California, Ploog was the first four-star tight end to sign with Oregon since Kenyon Sadiq did during the 2023 recruiting cycle.

The Ducks could make it three consecutive cycles of signing a four-star tight end if they are able to nab Fares' commitment.