Oregon Football Recruiting: Spring Stock Check
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The Oregon Ducks kicked off spring practice on Thursday and they did it with a number of impressive recruits in attendance.
The spring is an important time on the recruiting calendar, as schools will start to do their heavy lifting for the 2024 class.
Now that spring ball is in full effect, I'm doing a stock check and diving into how I feel about Oregon's chances with some top targets.
Let's get in to it.
Dylan Williams
The elite linebacker out of Long Beach Poly has been a major target for Oregon for quite some time. If you've been reading Ducks Digest, I've been trying to tell you that since he de-committed from USC in October.
Williams looks to be narrowing his focus a bit in his recruitment after setting his first official visits to Texas and Michigan. Mario Cristobal also recently hosted him out in Coral Gables and the buzz after that trip is that he'll take another official visit to Miami.
I don't think Oregon has lost any ground in this recruitment and I still feel like they lead. Now they can use the spring to see what else they need to do to secure a commitment.
I feel great about their chances since they should get an official visit and will likely host him again this spring. They signed Williams' teammate Daylen Austin in 2023, which is certainly a bonus in their chances. We know defensive graduate assistant Rashad Wadood's connection to Long Beach Poly should help Oregon stay involved until the very end.
Kamar Mothudi
Kamar Mothudi is a top linebacker out of Valley Village (Calif.) Campbell Hall that the Ducks offered in January.
He spoke very highly of the staff and the Ducks could have the edge here. He'll return to Eugene this weekend for a visit, which couldn't come at a better time for the Ducks.
Not only will they be able to showcase spring practice, but they'll bring a top target to campus after plenty of other schools like Nebraska, Michigan and Utah offered after Oregon.
Furthermore, new inside linebackers coach Brian Michalowski will be able to start building a relationship after recently joining the staff. Linebacker is a major need for the Ducks in 2024 and I'm really liking their chances here.
READ MORE: Kamar Mothudi talks Oregon offer
Nate Frazier
Sticking in the Southern California area we have the prolific running back out of Mater Dei. Frazier is arguably THE top target on Carlos Locklyn's board in 2024 and he's recruited him as such with a consistent approach.
Frazier didn't outright say he was close to making his college commitment when I spoke with him earlier this week, but that was the impression I left Mater Dei with--he could be getting close. He's planning trips out to Tennesse, Nebraska and Oregon among others and the Ducks should be doing everything they can to seal the deal.
READ MORE: Recruitment 'Getting Real' for Nate Frazier
Zabien Brown
Another top standout from Mater Dei, Brown recently put Oregon in his top four schools.
The standout cornerback feels good about his group and will get out to see his finalists again this spring. He's never been to Ohio State, but the Buckeyes will host him on two trips, which is an opportunity for them to move up his board.
I'm not overly concerned with USC here given their struggles on defense--and even moreso because of Oregon's dominance on the recruiting trail in Southern California. They snagged Rodrick Pleasant, Daylen Austin and Solomon Davis all from USC's backyard with Demetrice Martin leading the way.
I don't think this one is close to over just yet. I like Oregon's chances here and think they're in the top two with Alabama. Those visits to Ohio State should tell us more about where the Buckeyes stand.
READ MORE: Zabien Brown breaks down top four
Aaron Butler
The Calabas wide receiver is one of the most electric talents I've seen in the 2024 class. The Ducks will get a visit in early April which they're going to need because I feel like they have some ground to make up here.
He has Oregon in his top five schools, but I get the feel that Georgia and Alabama are leading the way here. The appeal of the SEC carries major weight for him.
Add to that former Calabasas standout and current Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton is in his ear about playing in the SEC--it's going to be a battle.
READ MORE: Pivotal spring visits on deck for Aaron Butler
Devin Brooks
Devin Brooks is one of the best players in Oregon and likely the top offensive lineman.
He's working from a top three of Oregon, USC and Washington and has already scheduled his official visits to USC and Washington, but he's working on setting one up for Oregon.
I'm not sure how close he is to a decision but I think Oregon has a really strong chance here given he's in state. He'd be a nice start for A'lique Terry on the recruiting trail.
READ MORE: Oregon in a three team race for Devin Brooks
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