Five Recruits From Oregon's 2024 Class That Could Have an Early Impact

Oregon just signed its best recruiting class in program history. Keep an eye on these players to see the field early in their college careers.

Author:
Max Torres
Publish date:
Dec 26, 2023 6:59 PM EST

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Oregon Ducks

Dan Lanning and the Ducks achieved a historic milestone last week when they signed the best recruiting class that Oregon has ever seen. Not too shabby for just Lanning's second full recruiting cycle as a head coach.

There are many questions that fans are asking coming out of the early signing period, and one of them is which recruits could see playing time in 2024?

Let's take a closer look.

1. CB Sione Laulea III

Sione CSM — Sione Laulea on Instagram (@sionelauleaIII)

Laulea signed with the Ducks as the No. 2 junior college recruit in the entire country. There are a couple of reasons I think he could see the field early.

Oregon has a need at cornerback following the departures of Khyree Jackson and Trikweze Bridges, and aside from Dontae Manning and Nikko Reed, Laulea projects to be their most experienced option on the roster by the time the season comes around.

The staff has looked at some of their options in the transfer portal, but I only see them taking another corner if that's someone that's clearly better than the talent they have right now. In other words, a plug-and-play guy.

That's how I view Laulea thanks to his experience, physical tools and his coverage ability. At 6'4", 185 pounds, he's got a frame that fits Oregon's defense to a tee. He can run, has great ball skills and can cover.

2. LB Brayden Platt

Brayden Platt Oregon Commitment Edit — Photos: Brayden Platt on Instagram (@braydenplatt_2)/Graphic: Kenny Breland

Like Laulea, Platt fits the bill for Oregon's ideal linebacker. He's got crazy athleticism, just look at the tape.

He's 6'2", 240 pounds, so he has a college frame already, but he also possess great speed and coverage ability. Platt also stared as a running back for Yelm (Wash.) High School and he's got some incredible burst to his game.

Dan Lanning wants linebackers that can run, tackle and play sideline-to-sideline. Platt can do all of those things and with the departure of Jamal Hill, who exhausted his college eligibility, I wouldn't be surprised if Platt cracks the two deep and sees significant snaps next season.

3. EDGE Elijah Rushing

Elijah Rushing Commitment Graphic — Elijah Rushing on Instagram/Kenny Breland

This may seem like an obvious answer, but that's with good reason.

There aren't a lot of 6-foot-6, 251-pound defensive linemen that can move like Rushing does. It sounds cliche but his combination of athleticism, burst, pursuit and bend are just some of the traits that make him special.

They aren't the same player, but I look at what the coaching staff was able to do with Matayo Uiagalelei and envision a similar trajectory for Rushing. There's going to be an opportunity for early snaps because of his talent, but also because of roster movement with Mase Funa exhausting his college eligibility.

4. S Aaron Flowers

Aaron Flowers Dan Lanning — Aaron Flowers on Instagram (@aaronf)

Flowers is the highest-rated (0.9639 per 247Sports Composite) safety the Ducks have signed since Steve Stephens IV in the 2018 class.

He comes to Oregon as one of the most decorated players to come out of the state of Texas this cycle. The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back has incredible range, roaming the back end to make great plays on the ball in big moments.

He snagged seven interceptions as a senior and was a big part of why Forney was able to make a deep run into the Texas State playoffs. A high football IQ and playmaking ability could make it hard for the staff to keep him off the field.

Defensive back is a position that's long proven to be difficult to earn early playing time at, but the Ducks have a need after losing Evan Williams, Bryan Addison and Stephens and Flowers is battled-tested with plenty of talent.

5. WR Jeremiah McCllelan

Jeremiah McClellan on Instagram (@jay_mac.3)

Any time you flip a wide receiver that was previously headed to Ohio State, you know you're on to something special.

McClellan was one of the most coveted receivers in the country and had no shortage of options, but chose to play his college ball in Eugene. He was recently described by 247's Greg Biggins as one of the most "ready now" wide receivers in the 2024 class and he's got an opportunity to make some noise as a true freshman.

I've seen McClellan in person myself on the 7on7 scene and he has the full package as a wide receiver. He's a great route runner, has the body to play a physical brand of football and he excels at eating up yards after the catch.

Fans may want to temper expectations after five-star Jurrion Dickey didn't break through as a true freshman, but he was banged up for much of the year. With Troy Franklin off to the NFL, I would think Will Stein wants Dillon Gabriel to spread the ball around in 2024. McClellan should show up in Eugene ready to compete.