Oregon’s 2027 class already has the kind of star power that grabs headlines, but one of the more intriguing pieces in the group is a local name that’s still climbing. Wide receiver Malachi Garlington may not have four stars next to his name yet, but Rivals’ latest update pushed him from an 84 to an 89, leaving him just one point shy of that mark.
That rise fits the profile Oregon seems to love: a player with size, athleticism and plenty of room to grow. Garlington, an Oregon native, has the kind of frame and upside that can keep moving him up the rankings before signing day arrives.
His path to Eugene took a quick turn. Garlington was first committed to Washington State, but things changed fast after he visited Oregon. A scheduled official visit to Eugene from June 5-7 helped seal it, and he flipped to the Ducks on Monday, June 8.
"The main things were that I already have most of the tools and natural abilities to be a great receiver. They [Oregon] just have the people and know what I need to work on," Garlington told Oregon on SI reporter Lorenzo Reyna. "I love their history, they have sent many receivers and overall players to the NFL since Coach Lanning has been the coach there."
That pitch clearly landed. Oregon’s recent track record with receivers gave Garlington a real picture of what development in Eugene can look like, with Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson both moving from the Ducks to the professional level.
Garlington’s production backs up the buzz. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound receiver caught 50 passes for 914 yards and 19 touchdowns during his junior season while helping his team reach the Oregon Class 6A semifinals. He also showed off his athletic profile in track, running the 100-meter dash in 11.17 seconds and posting a long jump approaching 22 feet.
Those numbers help explain why Rivals bumped his rating and why Oregon moved to get him in the fold. With his length and room to add muscle, Garlington looks like the kind of developmental receiver the Ducks can shape over time.
He also joins a loaded receiver group in the 2027 cycle. Dakota Guerrant and Xavier Sabb headline that class as nationally recognized prospects projected to make an immediate impact, while Garlington brings a different kind of value: a high-upside local target who could grow into a major role.
That’s the kind of player that helps complete a recruiting class. Five-stars draw the attention, but programs also need prospects who can outplay their rankings once they get on campus. Garlington fits that mold.
With another high school season still ahead, he still has a chance to earn the final point needed for four-star status. But even if he arrives in Eugene as a three-star, Oregon has already shown it can turn that kind of profile into something much bigger.
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