Torres' Take: The Latest in Oregon Football Recruiting Ahead of USC Showdown
While you get ready for kickoff tonight, the Oregon staff is hard at work behind the scenes working to build elite recruiting classes in 2024 and beyond.
Here are my latest thoughts on all things Oregon football recruiting.
The big picture
This is a massive opportunity for the Ducks for a lot of reasons. Chief among them is that they're playing against USC, which for years has been the face of college football on the West Coast. A big would would help send a message that Oregon is ahead of USC on the field and on the recruiting trail.
What could help send that message even more is that the Ducks are hosting a massive collection of talent from Mater Dei, led by elite Oregon defensive line commit Aydin Breland. If the game goes the way I think it will, I think the Ducks might try to run up the score.
Nasir Wyatt
Speaking of Mater Dei, the 2025 five-star EDGE is one of the most important recruits on campus, outside of 2024 TE/WR Roger Saleapaga, who is on his official visit and I have predicted to Oregon.
Wyatt had a very strong visit to Eugene back in the spring and I've only continued to hear really good things between him and the Ducks since then. I believe Oregon is leading with Wyatt and I think I'm getting close to placing a prediction in favor of the Ducks.
Flip efforts continuing?
I've been trying to get some scoop on some big-time recruits the Ducks are continuing to try and flip, but I'll be honest it's been tough. Let's highlight three.
The first one that I think is worth a mention is Nate Frazier. The elite 2024 running back is committed to Georgia, but with the Ducks bringing in a strong group from Mater Dei this weekend, I think it would make a lot of sense if Frazier made his way to Eugene. I haven't confirmed that or even heard any buzz specifically, but I'm sure it's a trip Oregon would love to make happen--especially with his teammate, 2025 five-star running back Jordon Davison being a confirmed visitor.
The next name is Ohio State wide receiver commit Jeremiah McClellan. Ever since he visited for the Colorado game, I've heard that the Ducks are trying to get him back out for a visit and the USC game has been circled as a strong possibility. They want more pass catchers in this class and McClellan is one of the biggest names Oregon is still involved with.
The third flip candidate is McKinney (Tex.) Florida safety commit Xavier Filsaime. He said in an interview with 247 last week that he might take a visit to Oregon and he was just out West to visit USC for their game against Washington. The Ducks have very strong ties into Texas, so he's another big name to watch for this weekend.
Note on RB recruiting
Based on some recent conversations that I've had, it's sounding like Oregon has moved on from recruiting 2024 Seattle (Wash.) O'Dea running back Jason Brown Jr. That's not a slight on him as a player, but it would confirm a hunch I've had that Frazier is the only back they're continuing to prioritize.
With a return looking likely for Noah Whittington in 2024, I think the staff is content with Da'Jaun Riggs if he ends up being the only back they take. If I had to make a prediction right now I'd probably change my pick from Oregon to Washington.
Williams is another HUGE name that's on campus this weekend. The five-star safety out of Texas is very high on the Ducks and is returning for his second visit this fall. The Ducks are in a better spot than I think most people believe nationally.
That said I think Oklahoma holds the lead. Even though he just dropped a top 12, but I think a smaller group has created separation, and Oregon is part of that group. He's visiting Oregon this weekend and you can read the latest in the hyperlink above.
