Oregon's Top 5 Flip Candidates in the 2024 Recruiting Class
Oregon's 2024 recruiting class is in a great spot as the start of the 2023 college football season is now less than a month away.
Dan Lanning and company hold 22 verbal commitments, which ranks No. 12 nationally according to 247Sports.
With as many commitments as the Ducks have, spots are going to become more valuable, which means the coaches will likely be more selective with who they take. That said, Oregon will continue to recruit a number of players despite a verbal commitment.
Predicting a flip to Oregon for these players isn't something I'm ready to do, but here's a batch that I think is worth keeping an eye on with high school football kicking off across the country this month.
Nate Frazier-Georgia Commit
Frazier committed to the Bulldogs just over a week ago, but I don't expect Carlos Locklyn to just throw in the towel. The Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei back speaks gushed about Oregon and his relationship with the Ducks running backs coach every time I spoke with him dating back to his offer last fall.
Georgia just might be the toughest program to flip a recruit from, but Locklyn and the Ducks have done it before, just look at Jordan James in the 2022 recruiting class. I don't consider this likely but Oregon should remain involved.
Jeremiah McClellan-Ohio State Commit
McClellan just committed to Ohio State on Sunday, so this one's fresh. I'm not trying to cast any doubt on his pledge, but I had a source close to the Oregon program tell me that this one isn't over.
I think Ohio State's depth could be something that ends up working in Oregon's favor, and I think the move to the Big Ten could keep the Ducks alive in this one. Junior Adams is one of the more underrated recruiters out West and will keep working.
Elijah Rushing-Arizona Commit
This one might reopen some wounds for Duck fans, but I'm very confident in saying Rushing's initial commitment came down to Oregon and Arizona.
Lanning tabbed Rushing a priority early on in his tenure with the Ducks, and he's the top edge rusher out West. Maybe the Ducks can use some on-field momentum and the development of players like Jordan Burch to push back into this recruitment.
There's not many edge targets Oregon remains in the hunt for this cycle aside from Solomon Williams, which leads me to believe they won't fade in their pursuit of Rushing.
I'm confident the Ducks can sell a path to the NFL, and big-time football more than Arizona can. The question is whether he and his family are willing to listen.
Justin Williams-Georgia Commit
This is going to be another tough one for Dan Lanning and company, but it's definitely worth a mention. Williams chose Georgia over Oregon the first time around and some people considered it a victory that the Ducks were even in the running for a commitment.
The staff has very strong ties to the state of Texas and Dan Lanning's track record should keep them in consideration. What could make this one a bit more difficult than flipping Frazier from Georgia is that the Bulldogs also hold a verbal commitment from Williams' high school teammate in Conroe (Tex.) Oak Ridge defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye.
Still, you keep trying until you're told you have no shot.
Isaiah Garcia-Utah Commit
Garcia's recruitment was an interesting one to follow. The No. 1 player in Utah committing to the in-state Utes may not look like much of a story, but it was.
At one point this recruitment looked like it was shaping up to be Oregon vs. USC. Then Stanford entered the mix late and got Garcia on campus. The Ducks have four offensive linemen committed in the 2024 class, but they continue to weigh their options in the trenches.
IMG Academy interior offensive lineman Jordan Seaton will reportedly be on campus for a visit this fall and Tampa (Fla.) Catholic interior offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis is also expected to make the trip out to Eugene.
However, big-time target Brandon Baker out of Mater Dei expected to visit Nebraska in the near future as storied programs like Texas and Ohio State appear to be turning up the heat.
The interior feels like the more pressing need now, but I think Oregon would want to keep Garcia warm in case they find themselves missing on Baker.