Duce Robinson Has Decision Deadline as Recruitment Rolls On
Oregon signed the top recruiting class in the Pac-12 last week, beating out USC to land a huge commitment from All-American cornerback Rodrick Pleasant.
While he's a great addition for the Ducks, Dan Lanning and company may not be finished on the trail. That's because they're still pursuing Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle High School tight end Duce Robinson.
Robinson is rated a consensus five-star (0.9907 per 247Sports Composite) prospect and the No. 1 tight end in the country.
READ MORE: Oregon's Demetrice Martin named Pac-12 Recruiter of the Year
He's had one of the most interesting recruitments to follow of anyone in the 2023 class, as he's also balancing basketball and baseball while navigating his recruitment. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound standout is one of only a handful of athletes to ever earn All-American distinction in both baseball and football at the high school level.
After learning that it may not come as much of a surprise that he's aiming to play both sports professionally. Now the next step in his recruitment is deciding which school he'll play for.
Having passed the February signing day, Robinson has a deadline for his commitment.
“April 1st is the cut-off date so I’ll have a decision by then,” Robinson told 247Sports Blair Angulo on Saturday. “As far as when that date might be, I couldn’t really tell you. A hundred percent plan on committing and signing to a school and being there whenever move-in day is.”
Pinnacle tight end Duce Robinson for the end zone during the Arizona 6A State Championship against the Highland Hawks.
© Alex Gould / USA TODAY NETWORK
Duce Robinson hauls in a pass during the 2023 Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii.
© USA TODAY Sports-USA TODAY NETWORK
Duce Robinson competes in the 7on7 circuit in Phoenix.
© Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
During his days as a high school recruit, he's had no shortage of schools showing interest, amassing 28 reported offers.
Now, as he enters the home stretch of his recruitment, five schools are believed to be the unofficial finalists. USC, Georgia, Alabama, Texas and Oregon are all still in the mix.
Robinson has taken official visits to each of those schools except for Oregon, which is why this lengthy recruitment could play into the Ducks' favor. If Dan Lanning is able to get Robinson out to Eugene for a final visit, they might just pull off one of the biggest shockers this cycle.
There's a need for tight end after the departures of Moliki Matavao (UCLA) and Cam McCormick (Miami) and missing on a few tight end prospects like Jamari Johnson (Louisville).
USC and Georgia look to have most of the recruiting momentum, but Oregon got very close to reeling in the nation's No. 1 ATH Nyckoles Harbor and they've been pushing into Arizona as hard as any other school in the country.
They're on the outside looking in right now, but a visit to Eugene could change things in a hurry.
Oregon has the No. 8 class in the 2023 recruiting rankings according to 247Sports.
READ MORE: Oregon a top school for 4-star Texas WR Aeryn Hampton
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