The Oregon Ducks keep stacking elite talent in Eugene, and now Dan Lanning’s staff is chasing another five-star prize.
This time, the target is Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, the USC-committed athlete from Cathedral Catholic in San Diego. According to 247Sports’ Tom Loy, Oregon has not backed off its pursuit, even after Fa'alave-Johnson verbally picked the Trojans in March 2026. USC went all out to secure him, even flying to his high school by helicopter to show how central he was to its 2027 class.
“Behind the scenes, we're told schools haven't completely given up. Oregon and Texas are two to keep an eye on,” Loy reported.
For Oregon, the appeal is obvious. Fa'alave-Johnson is the kind of player who can change a recruiting class, and maybe even the shape of a roster.
The 6-0 standout can work at wide receiver, where he’d give the Ducks a dangerous trio alongside five-star receivers Dakota Guerrant and Xaver Sabb. Four-star athlete Tae Walden Jr. could also factor into that mix as a possible fourth option at the position.
But Fa'alave-Johnson brings more than offensive upside. His closing speed makes him a threat to break up passes at a high rate, which is why he’s also viewed as a potential safety.
In that role, he could fit into a future Oregon secondary that already includes four-star recruit Hayden Stepp at one corner spot and four-star safety Semaj Stanford at one of the safety positions. Walden could also join him on defense if that’s where he lands.
That kind of versatility is exactly what makes this recruitment worth watching. Oregon already has a loaded 2027 class on offense, with five-star quarterback Will Mencl joining Guerrant and Sabb, while edge rusher Rashad Streets stands as the lone five-star on defense in the current cycle per the 247Sports composite. Adding Fa'alave-Johnson would give the Ducks another major boost, and a real argument for No. 1 in the 2027 rankings.
The Ducks have already shown they can make life uncomfortable for USC on the recruiting trail. Oregon once flipped De'Anthony Thomas from the Trojans on National Signing Day in 2011, a move that still stands out in the program’s recruiting history.
USC, though, is not giving up easily here. The Trojans’ 2026 class already includes former Oregon commits in four-star quarterback Jonas Williams and four-star defensive tackle Tomuhini Topui. And with USC’s no-visit policy for commits, Oregon’s best shot may come down to getting Fa'alave-Johnson on campus for a fall visit before signing day in December.
That part won’t be simple. But in recruiting, nothing is settled until the paperwork is signed. For Oregon, that means the chase is still alive.
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