What to Expect From Oregon Between Now and the Early Signing Period
We're officially one month away from the early signing period. The Ducks have the No. 6 class in the country and there's still some big targets on their board.
Let's check in on where things are at and what Oregon fans can expect between now and the early signing period.
The Big Weekend
Between now and the early signing period Oregon will have one big weekend where they try to bring in as many verbal commits as they can, along with their top remaining uncommitted targets.
Commits are often times your best recruiters, so one could see the obvious value there. I would expect this weekend to come in December, probably the 14th through the 16th.
It's also worth noting that if Oregon makes the Pac-12 title game they won't be in Eugene to host recruits the first weekend of December. Obviously they want to be playing in Las Vegas, but that would make the following weeks that much more important.
Jericho Johnson
Johnson is one of the top uncommitted defensive lineman in the country right now. He's down to a final four of Oregon, Washington, USC and Utah. I believe he's taken all of his official visits except for Oregon.
For the Ducks, I think that's right where they want to be. Johnson told me before his last Oregon visit that Tosh Lupoi wanted to get the last official visit and it looks like that's what will happen.
I predicted Johnson to Oregon in early October and still feel good about the pick.
Roger Saleapaga
The four-star WR/TE out of Utah took his official visit to Oregon for the USC game. I heard the visit went very well, as one would expect. He took his official visit to Tennessee this weekend and will head to Auburn for one more this weekend when the Tigers face Alabama.
He's scheduled to announce his college commitment on December 1. I put my prediction in for Oregon in October and I still feel confident the Ducks will be the pick. Which is great because Oregon is still looking for some offensive weapons.
Jordan Seaton
Seaton is another big name left on Oregon's board and I like where the Ducks stand for the five-star offensive tackle out of IMG. He's taken some other trips to Colorado and Tennessee, but I don't think enough people are talking about how the job that A'lique Terry is doing both on and off the field for the Ducks.
Seaton is expected to make his college commitment during the early signing period and the signs are pointing toward him getting back to Oregon for his official visit before then. I'm not ready to make a prediction yet but I think I might be comfortable saying the Ducks lead. Eddy Pierre-Louis out of Tampa (Fla.) Catholic is the only other name I think is worth monitoring on the offensive line right now.
Solomon Williams
Williams is one we've been keeping an eye on for a while since he took his official visit for the Washington State game.
The buzz is that he's nearing a decision, possibly even this month. Oregon has been in a good spot for a while here and I've had the feeling that it's between the Ducks and Alabama.
With spots getting tight, I tend to think he's the type of guy you make room for or figure the numbers out later. However, he has visited Alabama since his last trip to Eugene. I don't think Oregon leads, but maybe they turn up the heat late and try to get him back on campus.
Gatlin Bair
You could call Bair a wildcard here. He was in Eugene for the USC game and with Andy Avalos out at Boise State I think Oregon is obviously in a good spot.
The thing with Bair is that he won't play until 2026 due to a mission trip. But if you have a chance to add elite speed to your team you take it. I would think he wants to have his college commitment wrapped up by the signing period because I believe his trip starts in January.
Nate Frazier
I reported last week that I was told Oregon has stopped recruiting Jason Brown Jr., the other top running back target in this class, and with that being said, I think it's more or less Frazier or bust at this point.
I expect Noah Whittington to return in 2024 and the Ducks love what they have in Da'Jaun Riggs.
I was told Frazier didn't make it out to Eugene with the rest of his Mater Dei teammates for the USC game, which would've been ideal. But it’s not over until the ink dries and there’s still some time left. I expect the Ducks to keep pushing.
Transfer portal
This is a major wild card that we have to mention. With the coaching carousel ramping up and the regular season coming to an end this week, you're going to see a ton of players entering the portal.
That will likely have a direct impact on how the 2024 class finishes, seeing that transfers will technically count as class of 2024 signees. I'm positive Oregon will explore their options at quarterback and I think they also need some more experience at wide receiver.
