The Big Reason 4-Star Recruit George Toia Could Commit To Oregon

The Oregon Ducks are one of eight finalists for class of 2027 recruit, defensive lineman George Toia. Oregon has shown in recent years that it's a place that players at this position can come in to and work their way towards being drafted into the NFL.

Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts during the first half of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks are one of the finalists to land class of 2027 recruit, defensive lineman George Toia. Toia told Hayes Fawcett of Rivals that he is down to eight schools.

Oregon A Finalist For 2027 Recruit George Toia

Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning runs out for warmups against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Oregon is one of the eight finalists for George Toia. The other seven are the Michigan Wolverines, Texas Tech Red Raiders, LSU Tigers, Penn State Nittany Lions, Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma Sooners, and Auburn Tigers. 

NEWS: Four-Star DL George Toia is down to 8 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6’2 295 DL is ranked as a Top 85 Recruit (No. 7 DL) in the 2027 Rivals Industry Rankings

Where Should He Go?https://t.co/SHCB7hwRaW pic.twitter.com/9TRRVZhsoK

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 3, 2026

George Toia is a 6-2, 305 pound defensive lineman out of Trophy Club, Texas. He is rated as a four-star recruit and is ranked as the No. 8 defensive lineman in the class of 2027 according to 247Sports Composite. 

Recent Ducks Defensive Lineman Drafted to NFL

Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) enters the field at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

If Toia ends up choosing Oregon, he will be going to a program that has had four defensive tackles selected in the past three NFL Drafts. Those four would be Jordon Riley, Brandon Dorlus, Derrick Harmon, and Jamaree Caldwell. 

The highest drafted out of this group was Harmon. Derrick Harmon was selected No. 21 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Harmon totaled 33 tackles, four sacks, one fumble recovery, and one tackle for loss. 

The other Ducks defensive tackle selected in the 2025 NFL Draft was Jamaree Caldwell, who was drafted in the third round by the Los Angeles Chargers. In his rookie year, Caldwell had 34 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. 

Oregon has shown it is good place to come to for a defensive lineman if they want to get on a path to being drafted into the NFL. The question now becomes if that will play a factor in Toia's decision.

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Oregon's Recruiting On Defensive Line

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field during open practice for the Oregon Ducks at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. ahead of the Rose Bowl Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon coach Dan Lanning brought in the No. 4 ranked recruiting class in 2026 per On3. Among these signees were a handful of highly rated recruits on the defensive line.

Defensive lineman Tony Cumberland, edge rusher Anthony Jones, and defensive lineman Prince Tavizon were all rated as four-star recruits per 247Sports' ratings and will be freshmen when the Ducks take the field for the time in the fall.

Lanning has a defensive background dating back to his days as a defensive coordinator with the Georgia Bulldogs from 2018-2021 as an outside linebackers coach and defensive coordinator. With Lanning leading the program, the defense should always be among the team's biggest strengths.

Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning, left, and Defensive Coordinator Tosh Lupoi discus their game plan during the game against Oklahoma State. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This could be put to the test this season. Lanning's defensive coordinator since he got to Eugene in 2022, Tosh Lupoi, accepted the head coaching job with the California Golden Bears last month. With Lupoi on to coaching at his alma mater, Lanning will give the keys on defense to Chris Hampton.

Hampton was Oregon's co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach from 2023-2025 before getting the promotion. This is the first defensive coordinator change Lanning has had to make since becoming a head coach.