Oregon Commits Face Early Tests With One Spotlight Battle Leading The Way

As high school football kicks off in Oregon, committed players for the Ducks are set to shine against formidable opponents across the nation this weekend.

The Oregon Ducks’ 2027 class is already taking shape on the field, and this weekend gives fans another full look at where those commitments are lining up. With high school football rolling out across the country, 19 of Oregon’s 25 commits are scheduled to play from Thursday through Saturday.

The biggest spotlight falls on quarterback commit Will Mencl, who is set to guide Chandler High School into a season-opening rematch with Basha High School on Saturday. The matchup carries immediate weight after Basha beat Chandler 34-7 in last year’s Arizona Open Division State Championship Game. Chandler enters as Arizona’s No. 3 team, while Basha is No. 1, and Mencl will be operating behind a defense loaded with talent on the other side.

Basha’s front includes Purdue edge commit T.K. Cunningham, Kansas State defensive line commit Anitoni Tahi, Nevada edge commit Caleb Jordan, and four-star 2028 edge Landen Wade. Utah defensive back commit Taylan Patterson is also expected in coverage, and Basha has nine total 2027 prospects already pledged to FBS schools, led by four-star offensive tackle Jake Hildebrand, who is committed to Arizona State.

Friday brings the start of Oregon high school football, and two Ducks commits will be in action in-state. Happy Valley Nelson receiver Malachi Garlington is set to face Grant Pass, while Lake Oswego defensive lineman Josh Christensen takes on Willamette.

Another Oregon offensive line pledge, Avery Michael, has Turlock lined up against Rocklin on Friday night. Turlock’s matchup against Rocklin is set for 7 p.m.

PT, and Michael is the only ranked recruit listed on either side. Rocklin won the meeting last year 35-7.

Lex Mailangi and Mater Dei are back on the field after a 31-11 win over American Fork last week. This time, Mater Dei travels to Orem on Saturday at 6 p.m.

PT. Orem’s roster includes four-star Oklahoma edge commit Krew Jones and three-star BYU edge commit Jag Ioane, while its 2028 group features several Oregon offerees, including four-star edge Major Stokes.

A handful of other Ducks commits already have results in the books. Thompson edge commit E.

C. Pritchett and his team beat Clay-Chalkville 37-13 after opening with a 41-14 win at Central.

Clay-Chalkville’s offense is led by three-star 2028 offensive lineman Christian Bennett, and its defense features four FBS commits in the 2027 class, highlighted by four-star Arkansas edge commit Keith Richmond.

Millbrook edge Rashad Streets also kept rolling, with Millbrook beating Heritage 47-0 to move to 2-0 after a 42-0 win at Garner last week.

On Friday, Ohio athlete Brayton Feister and Washington will visit GlenOak at 4 p.m. PT after a 31-18 win over Glenville. GlenOak does not have any ranked prospects listed.

Oregon linebacker commit Sam Ngata and Olympus meet Westlake on Friday at 6 p.m. PT.

Ngata will see Utah State wide receiver commit Malik Sika in space and 2028 offensive tackle prospect Malakai Leilua in the trenches. Olympus fell 21-16 to Skyline last week.

Cornerback Hayden Stepp and Bishop Gorman will play Columbus in Florida on Saturday at 2 p.m. PT after Bishop Gorman’s 38-28 win over St.

John Bosco. Columbus is led by five-star cornerback A’Mir Sears, and Stepp is expected to line up against 2028 wide receiver Tony Brown II.

Tae Walden and Collierville are headed to Oxford, Mississippi, on Friday at 5 p.m. PT. Collierville is coming off a 19-7 loss to East Nashville Magnet, while Oxford’s offense features 2027 Ole Miss offensive line commit Ford Wade, three-star 2028 quarterback Price Renovich and 2029 running back Elijah Davis.

Another Oregon defensive back pledge, Josiah Molden, is also on the schedule as West Linn’s Malakai Taufoou takes part in Junipero Serra’s matchup with De La Salle on Friday at 7 p.m. PT.

The weekend slate also includes several other Ducks commits and matchups across the country, giving Oregon fans a wide-ranging look at the future of the program as the high school season gets underway.

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