Oregon’s win over Ohio State did more than boost the Ducks in the rankings. It also put them squarely back in the middle of the national recruiting conversation, and now Dan Lanning’s program is trying to turn that momentum into a flip.
The latest name to watch is four-star running back JP Jones-Priest, a Virginia Tech commit who is expected in Eugene for Oregon’s Nov. 14 matchup with Michigan, according to Oregon insider Max Torres of On3. Oregon has stayed on him throughout the process, and Torres noted that the Ducks never backed off their pursuit of the Arlington, Texas, native from Martin High.
“Jones-Priest was offered by Oregon running backs coach and the Ducks last December. He has visited Eugene twice and was originally scheduled to take an official visit on June 19, but that trip fell through,” Torres wrote.
That visit matters because Oregon is looking to add another back to its 2027 class, and the need is real. The Ducks currently have only one running back committed in that cycle: four-star CaDarius McMiller, a Tyler, Texas, native who became one of Oregon’s earliest pledges in February.
The room itself is still young, too. Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison are sophomores for the 2026 season, while freshman Brandon Smith has worked his way into the third spot during Oregon’s late-season surge. Smith has already helped fuel upset wins over Northwestern and Ohio State, averaging 10.3 yards per carry against the former and piling up 219 total rushing yards in limited action.
Jones-Priest would give the Ducks another explosive piece to build around. He’s listed at 5-10, 190 pounds and has the kind of burst that keeps coaches coming back. As a senior, he has rushed for 1,171 yards and scored 27 touchdowns for Martin.
His game is built on more than raw speed. Jones-Priest is described as a cutback runner with a strong plant-and-go style, and once he reaches the second level, he can turn a crease into a long touchdown in a hurry. That’s the type of back Oregon has consistently targeted: the home run hitter who can change a drive with one carry.
If the Ducks can land him after the Michigan game, it would be a major addition for a 2027 backfield that could already be deep, especially with Hill and Davison eligible to return as juniors before any NFL Draft decisions come into play. And with the early December signing period less than a month away, Oregon doesn’t have much time to make its move.
In Other News...
Michigan Heads Into Oregon With Troubling Questions Up Front
Michigans front has become a source of concern at just the wrong time, with the Wolverines trying to steady themselves for a difficult trip to Oregon while also keeping an eye on bowl eligibility. Dominic Nichols is still working back from a lower-leg injury, but the recovery has not been entirely smooth after some aggravation, leaving another question mark in a position group that needs all the help it can get.
Nate Marshalls situation adds another layer of uncertainty, with the defensive lineman suspended indefinitely and his return to the team still unclear. Lewis Powell has stressed accountability and team rules as Michigan tries to navigate a challenging season, and the timing is hardly ideal with the Ducks next on the schedule and little margin for error left in the chase to keep the postseason picture alive. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans 2027 Defensive Class Suddenly Has A Recruiting Problem
Michigans 2027 defensive class is already drawing plenty of attention, and not all of it is the kind a staff wants to see. The Wolverines have been keeping close tabs on four-star defensive back Tavares Harrington, who is committed to Michigan but is reportedly being pursued by Ole Miss, adding an early wrinkle to a class that still looks promising on paper.
There is still some stability in the group, starting with four-star edge commit Ifeanyi Emedobi, who took a visit to Tennessee but remains pledged to Michigan and plans to enroll in January. Michigan is also working on Boston College defensive line commit Jayden Paulino, who came away impressed from his visit to Ann Arbor, though he remains committed to Boston College while continuing to look around. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Izzo Had Quite A Message For Duke After This Loss
Michigan States 79-73 preseason win over Duke gave Tom Izzo a chance to do what he often does after a big night: keep the focus on the bigger picture. The Spartans got a quality test against a blueblood opponent, and Izzo made clear afterward that he respected the way Duke played while also acknowledging his own teams performance in the exhibition setting.
The more revealing part of the night was how quickly Izzo shifted from basketball to the broader mood around the program. With Michigan State still riding the emotional lift of its recent football win over Michigan, he drew a sharp contrast between the two moments, underscoring just how much that rivalry result meant in East Lansing. The Duke game mattered, but it was only part of a much larger stretch of celebration around the Spartans. [Read more 🡒]