Oregon has officially wrapped up its 2026 high school football signing class-and what a haul it is. With 22 top-tier prep prospects now in the fold, the Ducks have locked down the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation, a clear statement about where this program is headed.
To help break it all down, new offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer-formerly the tight ends coach-offered a comprehensive look at the offensive side of the class. And if his excitement is any indication, Oregon fans have a lot to look forward to.
Early Arrivals and First Impressions
All but three of Oregon’s offensive signees are already on campus, getting a head start on workouts and acclimating to the program. The only ones still to enroll are running back Brandon Smith, wide receiver Jalen Lott, and offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho.
But the rest? They’re already grinding.
“They’ve been working out and training,” Mehringer said. “We gave the vets a few weeks off, so we’ve had a chance to be around just the newcomers for the last couple of weeks.
They’re hungry. They want to get in there and to get in the mix.”
That early energy is a good sign, especially given the caliber of talent Oregon brought in.
A Coast-to-Coast Recruiting Push
One of the most striking aspects of this class is its geographic diversity. Oregon didn’t just clean up in the Pacific Northwest-they went national.
“It’s North Carolina. It’s Idaho.
It’s New York. It’s Texas.
It’s California. It’s Maryland,” Mehringer said.
“This whole idea of we have to recruit regionally-it’s like, ‘Well, this is a national brand.’”
The Ducks are still committed to keeping local talent home, but they’re not limiting themselves. The goal? Stack the roster with elite talent from across the country and let the best rise to the top.
A Closer Look at Oregon’s 10 Offensive Signees
Now let’s dig into the offensive side of this class, position by position. Mehringer gave detailed breakdowns of each signee, and there’s no shortage of star power.
OL Immanuel Iheanacho
From Georgetown Prep in Maryland, Iheanacho-nicknamed “Manny”-is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-7 and 370 pounds. He’s the highest-rated offensive lineman Oregon has ever signed, a 5-star recruit and the No. 2 offensive lineman in the country.
“He was the Maryland Player of the Year for any position,” Mehringer said. “And he’s a lineman. That tells you everything.”
Credit to offensive line coach A’lique Terry for landing this one. The Ducks don’t just have a cornerstone here-they’ve got a potential future All-American.
OL Koloi Keli
A familiar name for Oregon fans, Koloi is the younger brother of former Duck Poncho Keli. Like his brother, he comes from Farrington High School in Hawaii. But this time, he’s moving inside to play center.
“You can see the athleticism,” Mehringer said. “We’re super excited to have him.”
He was also named a Polynesian All-American, and his versatility should give Oregon some flexibility up front.
OL Tommy Tofi
Another massive presence on the line, Tofi checks in at 6-foot-6.5 and around 375 pounds. A four-star recruit and the No. 3 offensive lineman in the country, he was named California’s Offensive Lineman of the Year.
His athletic pedigree runs deep. His father is 6-foot-9 and played pro basketball in Europe after starring at UTEP in the early 2000s.
“He’s already here,” Mehringer said. “And his dad is actually bigger than him. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”
RB Tradarian Ball
Oregon’s backfield just got a serious jolt of speed and versatility. Ball, a 4-star from Texarkana, is the only running back in the country to post both 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in high school last season.
He also clocked a 10.5 in the 100 meters.
“Freak athlete,” Mehringer said. “He’s right down the street from LaMichael James’ high school.”
That’s high praise and a fitting comparison. Ball brings dynamic playmaking that could make him a fan favorite in a hurry.
RB Brandon Smith
Smith, a 4-star from Fresno, is still waiting to enroll-but his résumé speaks volumes. He racked up over 3,000 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns in high school and ran a 10.6 in the 100 meters.
“He’s the Fresno Player of the Year,” Mehringer said. “Both of our backs can absolutely run.”
Speed and production? Check and check.
TE Kendre Harrison
When you’re the No. 1 tight end in the country, expectations are sky-high. Harrison is ready for them. A 5-star from North Carolina, he’s a two-time MaxPreps National Player of the Year-for all sports-and the Gatorade Player of the Year in his state.
At 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, he’s a matchup nightmare waiting to happen.
“He only lost one basketball game in high school,” Mehringer said. “He went 87-1. Freak.”
That kind of athleticism and winning pedigree is rare at any level.
WR Gatlin Bair
Speed. That’s the first thing to know about Bair. The Idaho native ran a 10.1 in the 100 meters, making him the fastest high school player in the country.
Named after Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin, Bair recently returned from a two-year mission in Dallas and is now ready to rejoin football full-time.
“We’re super excited to have him,” Mehringer said. “Freak.”
WR Messiah Hampton
Hampton hails from Rochester, New York, and brings a complete skill set to the receiver room. He was the No. 1 player in the state, a two-time All-State selection, and the Gatorade Player of the Year.
At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, he put up 1,200 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns while playing both sides of the ball.
“Super tough kid. Really fast,” Mehringer said. “We’re really excited to have him.”
WR Hudson Lewis
Lewis is the third Idaho native in this class and the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state. He caught 62 passes for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns and won the state title in the 100 meters with a time of 10.6.
“He’s probably going to play in the slot,” Mehringer said. “Great dude. Super excited to have him.”
WR Jalen Lott
Lott is another Texas gem. A 5-star receiver out of Frisco, he hauled in 172 catches for 2,400 yards and 26 touchdowns. He’s also a junior Olympian who won state titles in the long jump and high jump-clearing 7 feet in the latter.
His dad, who still holds the junior national record at 7-foot-4 in the high jump, went to Texas. But Lott chose Oregon.
“It’s now back-to-back years we’ve gotten the No. 1 wide receiver out of Texas,” Mehringer said. “They’re both 5-stars.”
That’s a recruiting trend Oregon will happily continue.
The Bottom Line
Oregon didn’t just sign a top-three class-they built a foundation for the future. From freak athletes to polished technicians, this group brings a little bit of everything. And with most of them already on campus and eager to compete, the Ducks are setting themselves up for sustained success.
Mehringer summed it up best: “We’re doing an unbelievable job of going and getting great players out of tough places.”
The Ducks aren’t just recruiting nationally-they’re building something special.
