Commit Impact: Jett Washington to Oregon

 

The Ducks have gone through a tough stretch of late. But commits from Messiah Hampton last week and Jett Washington today are the moments upon which Oregon has built solid classes under Dan Lanning over the last three years. With the Ducks set to host multiple elite visitors this weekend, this is a good start to what might be a very good week for the Ducks.

Washington becomes the ninth known commit in Oregon’s 2026 recruiting class and pushes the Ducks up to No. 26 in the national rankings. But rankings only tell part of the story. Washington is a program-defining player — a long, violent, versatile defender out of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman who brings the kind of Sunday-level potential that has become a signature of Dan Lanning’s recruiting strategy.

At 6-foot-5, 210 pounds with elite testing numbers, Washington is a physical marvel. He has played over the top as a safety, slid into the box to attack the run, and manned up against large slot receivers with confidence. His length and range make him a nightmare for quarterbacks trying to test deep windows, while his ability to erase space and deliver big hits has been a hallmark of one of the best defenses in high school football.

His junior season confirmed what scouts had seen flashes of since his freshman year. He racked up 38 tackles, five interceptions, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble for a Bishop Gorman team that dominated Nevada again en route to its fourth consecutive state title. The MaxPreps Nevada Player of the Year and a Junior All-American, Washington hasn’t just played in big games — he’s thrived in them.

Washington’s commitment also carries significant recruiting gravity. Alabama made a strong push and USC tried to flip the momentum with a lavish official visit, but Oregon was there from the beginning. The staff’s consistency, communication, and vision for Washington’s role in the defense ultimately won out. His relationship with the staff, especially with Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, proved too strong to overcome.

What makes Washington so intriguing isn’t just his current skillset — it’s what he could become. Already built like an NFL safety, Washington could grow into a hybrid outside linebacker in Oregon’s evolving defensive scheme. He has flashed the ball skills of a wide receiver, the striking ability of a box safety, and the range of a deep-third defender. The modern game demands hybrid athletes who can cover, hit, and adapt — and Washington checks every box.

He also brings an elite multi-sport background, having averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds per game on the hardwood as a sophomore while helping Gorman to a state basketball title. That blend of spatial awareness, footwork, and timing shows up all over his film — particularly when breaking on routes and high-pointing the football.

Washington is the kind of athlete who can anchor a recruiting class and elevate the expectations of those around him. Oregon’s ability to land him, especially after losing a few key recruiting battles this summer, signals staying power on the trail — and it gives the Ducks a foundational piece for the future of their defense.

There is still plenty of work to do in the 2026 cycle, but Jett Washington’s commitment is a timely reminder that Oregon is still very much in the fight for elite national talent. The Ducks didn’t just win a recruiting battle — they secured one of the most dynamic defensive playmakers in the country.