Jack Ressler Down to Two Schools as Commitment Looms
Over the weekend Oregon hosted a number of talented prospects, including multiple big names from Southern California.
One of those players was 2024 Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei wide receiver Jack Ressler. He gave the latest in his recruitment and broke down the trip with Ducks Digest.
Jack Ressler is an Under Armour All-American wide receiver from Mater Dei High School.
Jack Ressler/Oregon Athletics
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound pass catcher wanted to get back to Eugene because of the strong connections he's built with the staff.
"For me it's not only the school but the coaching staff and what it has to offer," Ressler said. "Me and Coach Lanning, Coach Junior Adams--I've got to know them very well these past couple of years. For me I get a very family feel when I go over there."
His relationship with Dan Lanning in particular appears to be one of the stronger ones in his recruitment.
"Coach Dan Lanning, it's like if we went out to dinner it'd be like having dinner with my uncle. I feel like I'm that close with him."
Ressler was joined on the trip by teammates Aydin Breland and Brandon Baker, and provided some highlights from his time in Eugene.
"Just spending time with the team as well. As you know when you go on these visits sometimes you take photoshoots, sometimes you look at the school but you don't really get to spend time with the players themselves.
"So I think it was great not to just have my teammates come with me but also spend time with some of the Oregon teammates just to get to know them as well and kind of I would say live the life of a Duck in one day. It's been great to get the full experience."
He landed on Oregon's radar back in his sophomore year and they've been hitting it off ever since.
"I believe it was my sophomore year I got an offer from them," Ressler said. "That's when they got on my radar and ever since then it just keeps getting better and better as far as relationships go with them."
After his most recent trip to Oregon, Ressler looks like he's starting to wind down his recruitment.
"As far as the recruiting process I would say Boise State and Oregon are the top two as of right now," he said. "I do have schools still contacting me."
Boise State isn't a school that's typically in contention for players out of Mater Dei, but the Broncos certainly have his attention.
"Coach (Andy) Avalos and Coach Matt Miller," he said of why Boise State is a contender. "Like you said you don't see Mater Dei guys going to Boise State, but for me it's a blue-collar school. They like to play guys early and you have to be very disciplined to play at a school like that. I feel like a school like that fits not even my traits but my playing style as well."
Ressler has been able to visit Boise and see the Broncos up close this spring, reflecting on that trip.
"It's great. All the guys are cool out there. No one's really ahead of everyone else, everyone does things together. They just have one goal of winning. I feel like I can contribute to a school like that."
With his focus now on two schools, when can we expect a decision?
"I would say beginning of June I'd like to commit," Ressler said. "I don't have an exact date set yet, but for sure beginning of June."
Ressler understands Boise State and Oregon are different and shed more light on his recruitment.
"I understand Boise State and Oregon are very different programs. I look at them both as challenges, just different challenges and that’s what I enjoy being the guy to make a difference. Don’t get it mistaken. I have many other power five schools interested. I just narrowed it down to schools that I thought were the best fit for me."
Lastly, the talented wide receiver has strong relationships with Oregon commits that could further help the Ducks' chances.
"Mike (Van Buren) just committed. I don't know him personally but I've met him before. Jordan Anderson, me and him are super close. We've been playing youth football since about sixth, seventh grade so me and him have some history together.
"Jurrion Dickey, I've gotten to know him quite a bit actually, he's super cool. We are really close. I feel like we could build something special at Oregon. It'd be cool to be a part of their first national championship."
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