The Oregon Ducks’ recruiting momentum got another boost this week, and the timing fits neatly with the calendar. On a bye before a stretch of eight straight Big Ten games, No. 15 Oregon had a chance to shift its focus from the field to the future, and the latest ranking update showed the class is still climbing in the national conversation.
ESPN’s expanded recruiting class rankings, released Oct. 2 and now stretched to the top 50, placed Oregon at No. 3. The Ducks trail only Texas A&M and Notre Dame in that update, giving Dan Lanning’s program a prominent spot as National Signing Day draws closer.
The Ducks also sit atop the Big Ten in the consensus rankings, though the picture changes depending on the outlet. Rivals has Oregon at No. 4 overall, while 247Sports slots the class at No. 3.
The top names attached to the class vary by service, too. ESPN lists five-star receiver Xavier Sabb as Oregon’s top offensive commit and five-star cornerback Hayden Stepp as the leading defensive addition. On3/Rivals and 247Sports, meanwhile, point to five-star receiver Dakota Guerrant on offense and five-star edge rusher Rashad Streets on defense.
Oregon’s last commitment came from four-star linebacker Brayton Feister on Aug. 14, and while late flip attempts are still expected from both sides as NSD approaches, the class appears largely settled.
That class has been built with balance in mind. Lanning and his staff landed a consensus top-10 quarterback in Will Mencl to anchor the future at the position, then paired him with a pair of five-star receiver options.
The secondary also got attention, with Stepp and four-star legacy Josiah Molden joining the mix. Up front, Oregon added Streets and three other defensive line options.
The linebacking group has its own foundation as well, thanks to Feister and four-star Toa Satele. On the offensive line, Lanning and A’lique Terry brought in four prospects.
Recruiting didn’t pause during the bye week, either. Lanning headed up I-5 to watch the Lake Oswego Lakers and Oregon City Pioneers, where 2027 three-star edge rusher commit Josh Christensen plays for Lake Oswego. The game also featured 2028 four-star tight end Presley DeLance, another Oregon target.
“It's all of it, right? You're always trying to enhance your team,” Lanning said during his bye week press conference.
“You know, I feel good about the class that we have right now. I want to continue to maintain the class that we have, and then go ahead and evaluate the future and what that looks like.”
Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry and cornerbacks coach Rashad Wadood also made their own trips to evaluate rising prospects, a sign the Ducks are keeping one eye on the current class and another on what comes next.
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