Sunday Morning Sidewalk: Distance, Decisions, and the Bonds That Last

 

 

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It has been an interesting week on the personal front — a reminder that relationships, no matter the context, are rarely simple. They twist and evolve, sometimes fraying under pressure, sometimes strengthening in the face of adversity. That complexity isn't unique to our personal lives; in many ways, it's mirrored on the recruiting trail, where relationships are just as fragile, just as nuanced, and often just as emotional.

I found myself reflecting on that parallel after this week’s development with Deuce Geralds.

When I first spoke with Geralds back in January, it was clear that Oregon had made a strong impression. He was thoughtful, measured, and gave every indication that the Ducks would remain firmly in contention. Despite the cross-country distance from Louisiana to Eugene, geography was never framed as a deal-breaker. It wasn’t something he dwelled on. But it was always there — an undercurrent, a subtle weight in the equation.

Yet in the end, I don’t believe distance was the deciding factor. Not really.

Just a week ago, Geralds was ready. He had his Oregon edit finalized. He was prepared to make his commitment public. The decision, it seemed, had been made. And then, like in so many recruiting battles, things shifted. But let’s be clear about one thing: this wasn’t about LSU suddenly throwing a bag of money at him. That’s a lazy narrative — one often used when we don’t want to do the work of understanding the real story. This was something deeper.

LSU has always had a special place in Geralds’ heart. It’s home, both literally and emotionally. It’s part of his family fabric. His connection to the Tigers predates this staff, this recruiting cycle — it’s woven into who he is. And that brought me back to a conversation I had years ago that now echoes with eerie familiarity.

In 2020, at the Polynesian Bowl Celebration Dinner, I was sitting with Nick Rolovich — then the head coach at Washington State — and we ended up talking about Justin Herbert. Rolo had recruited Herbert hard for Hawaii. He believed they had a real shot. Herbert, he said, was the one who got away.

“I thought we had him,” Rolovich admitted with a smile tinged in resignation. “But when Oregon offered, it was over. That changed everything.”

In a way, Geralds was Oregon’s Herbert. Not because of geography, or even profile, but because once that emotional connection — that sense of destiny — aligns with institutional commitment, it’s almost impossible to overcome. Oregon fought hard. They were ready. But when LSU came in with an offer structure that mirrored Oregon’s vision — not more, not some giant NIL windfall, but equal — that was enough. That was the moment the emotional pull of home tipped the scale.

And here’s the real pivot point: Oregon could have countered. They could have raised the stakes. But in the calculus of roster management, culture building, and long-term sustainability, every number has to make sense. And in this case, Oregon wasn’t going to go above the value they’d assigned — not out of spite or stubbornness, but out of strategy. That’s the kind of discipline it takes to build a championship program in this new era.

Still, this wasn’t a loss in the traditional sense.

Because what Oregon has built under Dan Lanning is something more durable than a single commitment. The relationship with Geralds — forged over months of honest conversation, shared vision, and mutual respect — doesn’t vanish with one decision. If anything, the fact that Geralds was ready to commit just a week ago tells you how real that bond was. And more importantly, it tells you that the door isn’t necessarily closed forever.

In recruiting, especially today, the first decision isn’t always the final one.

We’ve talked often about the new realities of roster construction, and I believe this is where the next evolution of Oregon’s strategy becomes clear. The portal isn’t going away, but the chaos of it — the Wild West period where players jumped ship en masse — is slowly being replaced by something more structured. Revenue-sharing agreements, multi-year NIL contracts, and the growing emphasis on retention over replacement are ushering in a different era.

From what I’ve heard, Oregon’s model going forward will likely involve no more than 10 portal additions per cycle, with most NIL resources focused on keeping their own players. That means the days of “roster flipping” are fading — and for good reason. You build culture by keeping players in your program, not cycling them out like used parts. That doesn’t mean there won’t be attrition. Of course there will. Talented players buried on the depth chart will look for greener pastures. That’s natural, healthy even. It’s part of the ecosystem now.

But it also underscores why these kinds of relationships — the ones built over time, on trust and respect — matter more than ever.

Not every recruitment ends with a commitment. Not every relationship ends in the story you hope to write. But when the foundation is real, the connection doesn’t have to end when the recruitment does. And if Deuce Geralds ever finds himself looking for a better fit, don’t be surprised if Oregon is still there, ready to answer the phone.

Because sometimes, in recruiting — as in life — the right connection doesn’t vanish. It just waits for the right time.

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