Weekend Recruiting Primer: A Spotlight Weekend in Eugene

 

Weekend Recruiting Primer: A Spotlight Weekend in Eugene

If there were ever a moment engineered to showcase everything Oregon football has become under Dan Lanning, it’s this weekend. Autzen Stadium is already bracing for the surge of energy that comes with hosting USC in mid-November, but the stakes off the field might be just as meaningful. This is, without exaggeration, one of the biggest recruiting weekends Oregon has assembled in years—an elite-on-elite lineup of national prospects from the 2026, 2027, and even 2028 classes flying in to see the Ducks on the sport’s biggest stage.

ESPN’s College GameDay returns to Eugene, and Marcus Mariota will serve as the national Guest Picker, joining a long list of former Oregon greats expected back in town, from Justin Herbert to Bo Nix and more. It creates the exact kind of environment Oregon recruits talk about long after the visit—the noise, the star power, the NFL presence, the sense that this program is not just part of the sport’s past, but deeply wired into its present and future.

And the recruits? They’re headliners. Multiple five-stars. Program-changing targets. Cornerstones of Oregon’s next few classes. Many are already committed, many still weighing their options, but all will get a front-row look at a top-ten showdown in Autzen’s tightest, loudest setting.

In other words: this isn’t just a game weekend. This is a statement weekend—on the field, in the stands, and in every conversation Oregon’s staff will have over 48 hours with some of the most coveted prospects in America. 

2026 Oregon Commits

Immanuel Iheanacho (Baltimore, MD) The 5-star OT just celebrated his 18^th birthday and has been to Eugene a lot. He is about as locked in as possible with Oregon and you can be sure that they are working very hard to make sure he stays locked in.

Kendre’ Harrison (Reidsville, NC) The 5-star TE will get a chance to see up close and personal how Oregon  uses their tight ends. Having seen Sadiq with some big time games this season, Harrison loves what the future looks like.

Jalen Lott (Lucas, TX) If there is one player that other teams are still working hard to flip it is the 5-star WR from Texas. Miami is putting a full court press and the Texas Longhorns finally started recruiting him as a receiver. I think this visit could be a ‘locking it down’ type of weekend in a  good way for Oregon.

Anthony ‘Tank’ Jones (Mobile, Ala.) I know that there are still some teams chasing the elite EDGE rusher, but the Ducks have made him the priority at the position and I like where they stand here.

Davon Benjamin (Westlake Village, CA) Oregon wants to add more corners to this class, but the elite corner from Westlake Village is a high priority and feels also locked in

Tony Cumberland (Eugene, OR) The 4-star DL has been committed for a long time and been to a lot of games; having him on hand for the biggest recruiting weekend of the season is a big deal.

Tristan Phillips (Ventura, CA) There is no commit more locked in than Phillips. The 4-star LB has been very vocal in his status and also engaging in rivalry talk already.

2026 Uncommitted prospects

Azel Banag (Columbia, SC) The 6-0, 177 South Carolina prospect was formerly committed to Harvard; he has seen his stock soar and loves the way Oregon plays.

2027 Prospects

Rashad Streets Raleigh, NC The 4-star EDGE has had very real interest for a long time. When I was still with Rivals he was always eager to talk with us and this is not just a trip to catch a game. Having a commit from North Carolina (Harrison) on the same visit weekend is going to be a help as Oregon works hard on Streets.

Kesean Bowman (Nashville, TN) The 4-star WR was committed to Oregon before and has kept the Ducks near the top of his list. Might still have some work, but this will be a good chance for him to experience the game atmosphere.

Josiah Molden (West Linn, OR) Do we really need to talk much about the Oregon legacy and 4-star CB? Oregon wants to add him and would be just as adamant if his last name was not Molden.

Kaden Henderson (Tampa, FL) Kaden Henderson is another recruit that we talked to frequently with Duck Sports Authority. I think there is still some work to be done here, but getting him on campus for this game is a big deal.

Toa Satele (Honolulu, HI) Oregon is battling USC for the four-star linebacker from Hawaii. I like where Oregon stands right now with the son of former second round NFL Draft Pick Samson Satele. Still a long way until signing day, but the Ducks have done a good job early in his recruitment.

Jerry ‘Andrew’ Beard (Bogart, GA) Right now Georgia looks like the team to beat for the 4-star RB, but a chance to see how well Oregon uses their running backs keeping everyone engaged could be eye opening.

Bode Sparrow (Kaysville, UT) Listed as an athlete, I like Sparrow as a safety. He will get a chance to see some elite secondary play against a couple of really good receivers. This is the kind of game a DB recruit loves.

Danny Lang (Santa Ana, CA) Another recruit for whom the Ducks will be battling Saturday’s on field opponent. Lang is an elite safety from Mater Dei,

Brayton Feister (Akron, OH) This is not Feister’s first visit as the Ducks continue to work on getting the elite athlete from Akron. Going to be a long shot, in my opinion, but getting him out again is an important move for the Ducks.

Anthony Cartwright III (Detroit, MI) I would be surprised if the four star tight end ended up anywhere other than Michigan, but getting the chance to see Detroit product Dante Moore in action could at least give him something to think about.

4-star IOL Ismael Camara (Gilmer, TX) This will be the first trip to Eugene for the four-star interior OL. Camara is a track athlete as well and loves the prospects of doing both at a place that is elite at both – so the Ducks at least have a fighters chance here.

Will Mencl (Chandler, AZ) The three star QB does not yet have an Oregon offer, but the Ducks want to continue developing this relationship as Mencl continues to grow and get better.

Kobe Rhymes (Kansas City, MO) The three-star LB from Missouri has good size. Oregon has not made an offer yet, but this is a chance for him to get out and learn a little more about the program.

Sam Ngata (Salt Lake City, UT) Oregon will be hosting yet another legacy recruit with Haloti’s son a 3-star athlete from Utah getting a chance to watch the biggest game of the season for the Ducks.

LB Kawai Chamberlin (Eugene, OR)

2028 Prospect Visitors

Braylon Clark (Charlotte, NC) – WR

Grayson Clary (Rabun Gap, GA) – QB

Theo Schott (Zionsville, IN) – TE

LB Brydon Feister (Akron, OH) – LB

QB Zeke Thomas (Eugene, OR) – QB

Jayden Baum (Evergreen, WA) – QB

OL/DL London Divens (Los Angeles, CA) – OL/DL