Bakersfield (Calif.) Garces Memorial running back Carter Hanson has spent this offseason turning heads, and the latest surge in his recruitment came with a major marker: Oregon.
Hanson, one of the breakout 2028 names at running back, entered the spring with just one offer after his sophomore season. By February, Texas A&M had become his fourth offer and his first Power-4 opportunity.
Since then, the list has kept growing. He’s now a four-star recruit, a Top247 prospect, and up to 10 Power-4 offers after Oregon and UCLA both jumped in within the past week.
The Ducks had already identified Hanson as a prospect worth bringing in. As 24Sports’ No. 16 running back in the class, he was among the select invitees for Oregon’s elite camp on June 3.
“Oregon is a top school, top of the food chain obviously,” Hanson said before the event. “I was anxious, but all that anxiety settled when I got with the coaches. Coach Samples said to go have fun.
“The competition was incredible. It was an elite prospect camp, selected invites, and they made sure we knew that.
There was probably 70 to 90 dudes and they were the best of the best. It was amazing to be in that atmosphere.”
Hanson showed enough during the camp to leave with a scholarship offer, and the moment clearly stuck with him.
“I had a meeting with Coach Samples before I left and then a meeting with Coach Dan Lanning, and that was just legendary,” Hanson said. “That was probably one of the greatest talks I’ve had with a coach ever. So that was a legendary moment I will never forget.
“He told me, 'You've earned a scholarship offer at the University of Oregon.' I was in disbelief to be honest, I didn't have any words to say.
My dad was present with me, we both talked about it, we were both pumped. It's a dream to play at Oregon.
Can't understand this feeling, this feeling is incredible.”
Now that the Ducks are in the mix, Hanson says they’ve moved straight to the front.
“Oregon is at the top of my list for sure. After this great time, I hope to be back soon.”
He also pointed to UCLA and USC as schools that would draw serious interest if they were to offer. UCLA did exactly that one day after Oregon. Other schools already building relationships with him include Florida State, Texas Tech, Cal, and nearby Fresno State.
Hanson believes his value comes from how much he can do with the ball in his hands and beyond it.
“I feel like the big thing about my game is that you can use me anywhere on the field. I think I'm a versatile back.
I think I can do it all. I think that separates me from most.”
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