June was a huge month for Oregon on the recruiting trail, and it may end up being the stretch that defines Dan Lanning’s 2026 class.
That matters because June is when Official Visit season really takes over college football recruiting. The sport may be in its quietest months on the field, but off it, programs are making their strongest pushes, and Oregon clearly treated the month like a must-win opportunity. Coming into June, the Ducks needed a major run to stay on track for another top 5 recruiting class, and they got exactly that.
The first big move came on June 3, when Oregon landed linebacker Toa Satele. The top player from Hawaii is ranked 73rd in the country, and he gives the Ducks plenty of flexibility because he could fit at edge rusher or linebacker.
The next weekend didn’t bring a headliner, but it still gave Oregon real momentum. The Ducks picked up commitments from three 3-star prospects: Malachi Garlington, George VanSandt, and Achilles Reyna. None of them carried the same buzz as a five-star type of addition, but each one helps deepen the class, and Oregon’s development track record makes those kinds of additions matter.
Then came one of the biggest wins of the month. Dakota Guerrant, one of Oregon’s top targets, picked the Ducks over hometown Michigan on The Pat McAfee Show.
Guerrant is an explosive wide receiver and, as the source said, he is extremely polished for his age. He also said he’ll enroll early, which gives him a real shot to contribute quickly once he gets to campus.
Oregon kept building after that by adding Lake Oswego edge rusher Josh Christensen. The Ducks already had commitments from in-state names Malachi Garlington, Josiah Molden, and George VanSandt, but Christensen gives the staff another player they can move around on the defensive line to find the right spot for him.
The offensive line also got a needed boost when Lex Mailangi committed. Oregon signed only three offensive linemen in the last recruiting cycle, so adding another big body was important. Mailangi gives the Ducks more depth in a room that already has plenty of talent, and his size and upside make him a player who could grow into a starter even with a 3-star label.
To finish out the month, Oregon landed elite tight end Anthony Cartwright III, dealing one more blow to Kyle Whittingham’s class. Cartwright’s film shows a player who can line up as a bigger wide receiver, work as an in-line tight end, and even make plays out of the backfield. That versatility gives him a chance to become the next great Ducks tight end.
And the month’s momentum isn’t slowing down. Official Visits already helped Oregon gain ground with defensive backs Hayden Stepp and Tae Walden Jr, both of whom will commit on July 1, with the Ducks predicted to land both. Add in Xavier Sabb and Brayton Feister, who are also nearing commitments, and Oregon is moving closer to that top 5 class it came into June needing.
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For Oregon fans, it is another reminder that even the most promising pro transitions can get complicated fast. Sadiq was viewed as one of the better young pieces in New Yorks offensive plan, and the team still likes the matchup potential he brings. Still, starting behind because of recovery means the next phase of his development will be about making up ground, not just showing why he was drafted so highly. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Recruiting Momentum Just Took A Hit On A Huge Day
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Still, the day is far from over in Eugene, where a pair of coveted cornerbacks are expected to make their decisions later. With the offensive line room largely addressed, those defensive announcements now loom as the next chance for Oregon to turn a setback into a bigger win for its 2025 class. [Read more 🡒]