Dan Lanning’s 2027 class is already shaping up like another heavyweight haul for Oregon, and the latest buzz centers on a cornerback whose stock keeps climbing. Hayden Stepp, the Ducks’ newest five-star defensive back commit, has moved into a bigger national spotlight after earning a fresh ranking from ESPN reporter Billy Tucker.
Stepp is the consensus No. 1 recruit in Nevada and has been ranked as high as No. 13 overall by ESPN. Tucker slotted him at No. 23 among recruits regardless of class, a boost that only adds to the value of Oregon landing his verbal commitment to open July. For Lanning and the Ducks, it was a major win in a cycle that already features 24 commits and more five-star talent on the way.
The only cornerbacks ranked ahead of Stepp in Tucker’s list are Texas commit John Meridth III and South Carolina commit Joshua Dobson, who are also the only two players at the position placed above him in the 2027 class, according to ESPN. That puts Stepp in rare company, and it gives Oregon another chance to keep building its reputation for developing defensive backs under Lanning and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton.
Stepp picked Oregon over Alabama, Georgia and California. He also arrives with a familiar connection to the Ducks: he previously played alongside incoming Oregon freshman Jett Washington at Bishop Gorman, where Washington was a five-star recruit himself. If both players reach their ceiling, Oregon could end up with a secondary pairing that changes the look of the defense for years.
Stepp is the lone Oregon commit currently on ESPN’s top-25 list, but the Ducks have already extended offers to four more players on that board, according to 247Sports.
One of them is 2029 cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke Jr., who remains uncommitted. He’s headed into his sophomore year of high school in Auburn and is already listed at 6-4, giving him a striking frame with plenty of room to grow. He also happens to be the son of former NFL cornerback and current Auburn Tigers cornerback coach DeMarcu Van Dyke, which means Oregon would have a fight on its hands if it wants to pull him away.
The Ducks are also in the mix for the No. 2 recruit on ESPN’s list, 2028 wide receiver Brysen Wright. As a sophomore in 2025, Wright posted 983 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 46 catches, according to 247Sports. Texas and Ohio State are chasing him too, but Oregon has shown it can land elite pass-catchers, and its two five-star commitments in 2027 are part of that proof.
Oregon has also offered 2027 running back David Gabriel Georges, who is listed among the Ducks’ frontrunners, and 2029 quarterback Ty Snell, who is drawing interest from Ohio State and Indiana as well.
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