The Oregon Ducks just landed a commitment that hits a little closer to home - and history - than most. Sam Ngata, a three-star linebacker out of Olympus High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, became Oregon’s second pledge of the 2027 recruiting cycle. But this one’s got legacy written all over it: Sam is the son of former Ducks legend and College Football Hall of Famer Haloti Ngata.
Sam made his decision public during a Junior Day visit to Eugene, a trip that proved to be more than just a campus tour. It was a full-circle moment for the Ngata family - one that started decades ago when Haloti was wreaking havoc on Pac-10 offensive lines and ended with his son choosing to wear the same green and yellow.
“I had no intention of committing before the visit,” Sam said. “But I was sitting in the hotel room with my dad and we were talking about the day.
I was like, ‘Dad, I think I want to commit.’ It was just a special moment.”
That moment came just weeks after Haloti was honored at Autzen Stadium for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame - a ceremony that happened to coincide with Sam receiving his Oregon offer. The timing wasn’t lost on anyone.
Sam’s familiarity with the program runs deep. He’s been around the Ducks’ facilities for most of his life, and when he sat down with Oregon edge coach Kam Araghi over the weekend, everything started to align. The visit wasn’t just nostalgic - it was affirming.
“This past weekend was amazing,” Sam said. “I’ve grown up around the facility my whole life, so I already knew everything about that. Talking to Coach Kam made me want to go there even more.”
The commitment itself came in a meeting with head coach Dan Lanning. What started as a routine conversation about recruiting timelines quickly turned into a celebration.
“(Lanning) asked me what my timeline was on committing, and I told him, ‘Actually, I want to commit right now after a lot of prayer and talking to my family,’” Sam recalled. “Immediately the energy in the room exploded.
We stood up, had a long hug, and had a long conversation. It was super fun.”
Ngata chose Oregon over a solid list of suitors, including Michigan, Nebraska, BYU, Cal, Utah, and Boise State. Michigan and Nebraska had just entered the mix with offers in the days leading up to his commitment, but once Sam stepped foot in Eugene, the decision felt inevitable.
“I was born a Duck,” he said. “My parents always had me in Duck gear.
I was repping it with pride. I’ve grown up in the facility, I’ve seen everything … I’ve been a Duck my whole life and I couldn’t see myself on any other team.”
While Sam’s name carries weight, his game is carving out its own identity. He’s currently rated as a three-star prospect with an 84 grade, but his stock has been trending upward following recent evaluations. He joins four-star edge rusher Cameron Pritchett out of Alabama as the Ducks’ early foundation for the 2027 class - a pairing that gives Oregon a strong start on both sides of the ball.
As for the elder Ngata, Haloti didn’t pressure his son - but the emotion was real when Sam made the call.
“He obviously wanted me to go to Oregon, but he didn’t push me to do anything,” Sam said. “He told me to keep my options open.
He got very emotional when I committed, he started crying. He’s been a great mentor through this all.
I’m very grateful for his presence in my life.”
For Oregon fans, this commitment is more than just a legacy story - it’s a glimpse into the next chapter of a family that’s already left a big imprint on the program. Sam Ngata’s journey is just beginning, but he’s already walking a path paved by greatness - and now, it’s his turn to make his mark in Eugene.