The Oregon Ducks just got a little faster-and a little deeper-in their 2026 backfield.
After flipping his commitment from Arizona to Oregon in January, Brandon Smith, a standout running back from Central East High School in Fresno, California, saw his recruiting stock take a notable jump. On Monday, Smith officially earned his fourth star from 247Sports in the final rankings update for the class, bumping his rating from 89 to 90 and solidifying his place among the top-tier backs in the country.
For Oregon, Smith becomes the 22nd high school addition in this recruiting cycle, joining a class that already turned heads with its December signings. And while the Ducks’ haul has mostly been locked in since the early signing period, Smith’s late addition-and now, his rankings bump-adds another layer of intrigue heading into National Signing Day.
Let’s break down what Oregon is getting.
A Rising Star with Real Production
Smith’s new ranking places him as the No. 17 running back nationally and the No. 33 overall prospect in the state of California. He also cracked the top 300 nationally, landing at No. 262 in the 247Sports Composite rankings. That’s a significant leap for a player who, just a few weeks ago, was viewed as a solid three-star commit headed to Arizona.
But the numbers tell the story of a player who’s earned every bit of that rise. At 6 feet and 185 pounds, Smith put together a monster senior season: 255 carries, 2,189 rushing yards, and 32 touchdowns. Add in 25 receptions for 385 yards and five more scores, and you’ve got a player who was simply unstoppable with the ball in his hands.
And he didn’t just do it on offense. Smith was a two-way force, racking up 88 tackles, four interceptions (with 173 return yards), two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. His all-around dominance helped lead Central East to a 14-1 record and a California Division 1-A state title.
Game-Breaking Speed and Versatility
What separates Smith isn’t just production-it’s explosion. According to 247Sports’ evaluation, Smith is “one of the region’s best two-way athletes,” but running back is where his future lies. He’s described as a “true game breaker” and “home run threat” every time he touches the ball.
That’s not just scout speak. Smith has elite track credentials to back it up.
He posted a blazing 10.67-second 100-meter dash and a 21.52 in the 200 meters last spring, anchoring a 4x400 relay team that finished second at the California State Track and Field Championships. That kind of speed translates directly to the field-he doesn’t need much room to hit top gear, and once he does, defenders are usually left chasing shadows.
He’s also a natural pass-catcher out of the backfield, giving Oregon a versatile weapon who can line up all over the formation. Whether it’s inside zone, outside stretch, screens, or wheel routes, Smith has the skill set to be a matchup nightmare at the next level.
Oregon’s Backfield Outlook
With Smith now officially in the fold, Oregon’s 2026 running back room is shaping up to be both deep and dynamic. He joins fellow four-star freshman Tradarian Ball, who came in with a 96 rating and finished as the No.
4 RB in the class and No. 59 overall. That’s a strong one-two punch of incoming talent.
The Ducks also added Simeon Price, a transfer from Colorado, to round out the group. Returning backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. are expected to headline the unit next season, but with Noah Whittington graduating and the departures of Makhi Hughes (Houston), Jayden Limar (Washington), and Jay Harris (Kansas State), there’s room for someone like Smith to carve out a role early.
Final Thoughts
Smith’s late flip to Oregon already felt like a win for the Ducks. Now, with his fourth star in hand and a fresh set of rankings that reflect just how impactful he can be, that win looks even bigger.
Oregon is building a backfield that blends experience, versatility, and speed-and Brandon Smith fits that vision perfectly. He’s not just another name on the commit list. He’s a player with real potential to make noise in Eugene-and sooner rather than later.