There are recruits who are listed as athletes because no one knows where they will play.
Then there are recruits who are listed as athletes because they can actually play several spots.
Tae Walden Jr. fits the second category.
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Collierville, Tennessee, standout committed to Oregon as one of the more interesting projection pieces in the 2027 class. He has enough offensive production to be viewed as a college wide receiver. He has enough defensive traits to be viewed as a cornerback. He has enough return ability to be viewed as a special teams weapon. He has enough football background and football IQ to make the projection feel less risky than it might with another player still refining his long-term position.
That is what makes Walden so intriguing.
Oregon is adding a long perimeter athlete with speed, instincts, ball skills and three-phase production. There is still development ahead, especially if cornerback becomes the long-term home, but the ceiling is easy to see.
