The Oregon Ducks just added a big piece to their future defense. On National Signing Day, four-star linebacker Braylon Hodge officially signed his National Letter of Intent, cementing his place in Oregon’s 2026 recruiting class. And make no mistake-this is a significant win for the Ducks on the recruiting trail.
Let’s break down what Oregon is getting in Hodge and how he fits into the bigger picture in Eugene.
Who Is Braylon Hodge?
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 212 pounds, Hodge brings the kind of size and athletic profile that coaches dream about at the linebacker position. Hailing from Englewood, Colorado, he’s ranked as the No. 12 linebacker in the nation and the No. 210 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
He’s a rangy, instinctual player who moves well in space-traits that are increasingly essential in today’s game, where linebackers are asked to do everything from stuffing the run to dropping into coverage against athletic tight ends and slot receivers.
The Recruiting Journey
Hodge’s path to Oregon wasn’t exactly a straight line. He initially committed to Michigan State back in early June after an official visit to East Lansing in May.
But the commitment never felt completely locked in. He continued taking official visits-to Utah, Minnesota, and Iowa-after pledging to the Spartans, which raised some eyebrows and suggested he was still keeping his options open.
Then came the fall push. Oregon, Michigan, and Texas all entered the mix with scholarship offers.
The Ducks made their move in October, convincing Hodge to decommit from Michigan State on the 10th. He was in Eugene for an official visit the very next day, and two weeks later, on October 24th, he gave the Ducks a verbal commitment.
Even after that, he took one last official visit to Missouri in early November, but Oregon held firm. Now, with his signed NLI in hand, the Ducks can officially celebrate bringing Hodge into the fold.
What Hodge Brings to the Field
Turn on the tape, and it’s easy to see why Oregon made Hodge such a priority. He’s a true three-down linebacker-athletic enough to stay on the field in passing situations, physical enough to make plays at the line of scrimmage, and smart enough to diagnose plays quickly.
Hodge looks comfortable operating in space, which is huge in a conference where offenses love to spread you out and test your linebackers in coverage. He’s got the length to disrupt passing lanes, the speed to chase down ball carriers, and the kind of natural instincts that can’t be taught.
The Fit at Oregon
The Ducks’ linebacker room is in solid shape, but there’s always room for a player with Hodge’s upside. Bryce Boettcher is set to graduate, but the rest of the unit could return if they choose. That means Hodge will enter a competitive situation-he won’t be handed anything, but he’ll have every opportunity to earn his way onto the field.
Early playing time might be a challenge, but don’t count him out. His skill set gives him a chance to contribute on special teams right away, and with continued development, he projects as a multi-year starter down the line.
Bottom line: Oregon just landed a linebacker with the tools, mentality, and ceiling to become a key piece of their defense in the years ahead. Hodge’s commitment is a reflection of the Ducks’ growing pull on the national recruiting stage-and another sign that Oregon isn’t just building for the future. They’re building to win.