The Oregon Ducks just added some serious speed and upside to their backfield. On February's National Signing Day, they officially welcomed Brandon Smith, a four-star running back out of Central East High School in Fresno, California. Smith becomes the second high school scholarship addition since December’s early signing period, and he brings a blend of athleticism, versatility, and big-play potential that could make him a key piece of Oregon’s offense in the near future.
Who is Brandon Smith?
Smith checks in at 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, with a frame that scouts believe could support another 25-30 pounds as he develops. He’s ranked No. 17 among running backs in the 247Sports rankings and lands at No. 262 nationally in the Composite Rankings. Oregon running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples led the recruitment, and the Ducks beat out a solid list of offers that included Arizona, Cal, Utah, San Diego State, and Washington State, among others.
The Journey to Eugene
Smith originally committed to Arizona last summer after taking official visits to the Wildcats, Cal, and UNLV. He even signed with Arizona during the early period in December.
But things took a turn in January when he was unexpectedly released from that commitment. That’s when Oregon stepped in.
With several running backs departing via the transfer portal following the Ducks’ College Football Playoff semifinal run, Oregon was in need of reinforcements. Smith filled that need quickly, flipping his commitment and giving the Ducks a fresh injection of talent in the backfield.
What He Brings to the Table
Smith’s tape pops. He’s a two-way standout at the high school level, and while he played linebacker on defense-racking up over 250 career tackles-it’s his offensive explosiveness that has Oregon fans buzzing. He’s got verified top-end speed (a 98 speed score, which is elite), and he’s especially dangerous when he gets into the second level.
He’s not just a burner, though. Smith shows patience behind the line, letting blocks develop before hitting the gas.
He runs with a slightly higher center of gravity, but he has the ability to sink his hips and make sharp, explosive cuts-both in traffic and in space. He’s not a bulldozer after contact just yet, but he’s not afraid to lower the shoulder either.
And with his defensive background, there’s a physicality in his game that projects well.
Add in his potential on special teams, and you’re looking at a multi-phase contributor who could make an impact early and grow into a feature role down the line.
The Fit at Oregon
The Ducks leaned on a deep running back rotation in 2025, but that group is thinning out. Noah Whittington has moved on, and several others have transferred. While Oregon still has Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison in the fold, the depth chart is wide open heading into 2026.
That’s where Smith-and fellow four-star signee Tradarian Ball-come in. Ball is more of a hybrid athlete who may see time in the slot, while Smith profiles as a more traditional back. That could give him a clearer path to early carries, especially if injuries hit or the Ducks want to keep their rotation fresh.
Smith may not be asked to carry the load right away, but he’s the type of player who could force the issue. If he continues to develop his frame and refines his game, there’s every reason to believe he could become a central figure in Oregon’s offense down the road.
For now, the Ducks have added a dynamic, home-run threat to their backfield-and they might not have to wait long to see him break one.