Commitment Impact: Oregon Lands Four-Star Linebacker Braylon Hodge

 

If you’ve followed Oregon recruiting for any length of time, you know Brian Michalowski and this staff have been hunting for a second linebacker in this cycle for what feels like forever. They’ve swung on some big names — Tyler Atkinson (Texas), Nick Abrams II (Georgia), Talanoa Ili (USC), and Beau Jandreau (Oklahoma) — but hadn’t yet found the right fit. Some assumed the Ducks might simply roll with four-star Tristan Phillips and call it good. But that was never really in line with Michalowski’s vision. He’s been clear: Oregon wants to recruit and develop that position from within, not lean on the transfer portal.

That makes Friday’s commitment from four-star linebacker Braylon Hodge a pivotal win for the Ducks — both in roster construction and long-term development. After a light haul last year with only Gavin Nix at linebacker, adding Hodge not only balances the numbers, it gives the room a steadier outlook heading into a season where veterans like Bryce Boettcher and potentially Devon Jackson could move on.

Hodge, a 6-3, 212-pound inside linebacker from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado, committed to Michigan State back in June. But when offers started rolling in from Michigan, Texas, and Oregon, he pressed pause. The Ducks moved quickly, getting him to Eugene for an official visit on October 11 — and that trip sealed it. He didn’t take another visit after leaving Autzen.

For Oregon, this wasn’t just about landing another blue-chip prospect; it was about executing a deliberate plan. Since their mid-summer run of commitments — a stretch that brought in names like Immanuel Iheanacho, Anthony “Tank” Jones, Tommy Tofi, and Davon Benjamin — the Ducks have been playing the long game. They’ve spent the fall reinforcing their 2026 core while selectively pursuing the few remaining high-priority targets. Hodge fits that bill perfectly — the top available linebacker in the class according to 247Sports, and a top-15 player at his position nationally by both major services.

The ripple effect of his commitment reaches beyond just depth. It’s a strong message about the Ducks’ ability to stay patient, evaluate talent on their own terms, and win recruiting battles against programs like Texas and Michigan late in the cycle. It’s also a sign of confidence in what this staff is building behind the scenes — a culture rooted in development, competition, and roster stability.

With Hodge on board, Oregon’s 2026 class now sits at 18 commitments and remains comfortably inside the Top 10 nationally. The Ducks still have a few key areas left to address — namely interior defensive line, wide receiver, and defensive back. Keep an eye on names like Pennsylvania lineman Tavian Branch (a current Penn State commit), former Iowa State wideout pledge Milan Parris, and Washington DB commits Rahsjon Duncan and Jeron Jones.

There are three home games left — Wisconsin, Minnesota, and USC — and each could prove important in locking up this class. November 22, the date of the USC game, falls less than two weeks before the early signing period opens on December 3. Expect that weekend to serve as both a celebration of the 2026 class and a showcase for what comes next in 2027.

For now, though, Oregon got what it needed: a high-upside linebacker who checks every box for the scheme, adds depth to a thin room, and reinforces the idea that this staff’s patience and persistence continue to pay off.