The Oregon Ducks’ 2027 recruiting class is already sitting near the top of the national board, with 247Sports listing it at No. 2 in the country. And while the Ducks have landed plenty of highly touted names, a few of their commits are still being treated like afterthoughts despite showing plenty of reasons to be rated higher.
One of the clearest examples is Achilles Reyna. The three-star Oregon EDGE and defensive line commit is ranked by ESPN as the No. 40 defensive lineman in the cycle, but his value goes beyond the label next to his name.
At 6-7 and 250 pounds, according to ESPN, Reyna has the kind of frame that jumps off the page. That size works off the edge, but it also gives him the flexibility to move inside if needed.
If he settles into one spot full-time, he has the tools to become a real problem for offenses, thanks to a deep set of pass-rushing moves and run-stopping ability that already looks more natural than what most recruits bring to the table.
Malachi Garlington fits a different mold, but he belongs in the same conversation. The three-star Ducks wide receiver commit may not look like the flashiest name in the class, especially with Oregon also in the mix for five-star receivers Xavier Sabb and Dakota Guerrant, but the staff clearly saw something worth betting on.
Garlington does a little bit of everything, yet his ability after the catch stands out. He creates yards once the ball is in his hands, and he pairs that with strong route running.
Entering his senior season at Nelson, he’s expected to keep climbing, which has been the pattern throughout his high school career. Even with that growth, Rivals has him as the No. 54 wide receiver, a spot that still feels too low.
Then there’s Sam Ngata, a legacy commit who matters for more than just the family name. The three-star linebacker was the first linebacker to commit to Oregon in this class, and he brings a skill set that should translate well.
His father is former Oregon standout defensive lineman and former NFL star Haloti Ngata, and while Sam plays a different position, some of the same traits show up in his game. The biggest one is his ability to shed blocks, which helps him against the run and when he’s rushing the passer.
He’s also made major strides moving across the field in zone coverage. Rivals has him as the No. 34 linebacker, but that ranking doesn’t fully capture what he can become once he gets to college.
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