Behind Enemy Lines is a new BSB series about how Ohio State’s adversaries are doing on the recruiting trail. Up next is Oregon
Although Oregon has only been in the Big Ten for one year, the program looks like it’s quickly becoming a rival of Ohio State. On the field, the Ducks upset Ohio State in the regular season, before the Buckeyes got their revenge and obliterated the Ducks in the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs.
The same is true of Oregon and Ohio State off the field. The Buckeyes were keen on fortifying their secondary for years to come during the 2025 cycle when they not only had their eyes set on current Buckeye Devin Sanchez, but also Cleveland-native Trey McNutt and Na’eem Offord. Although McNutt’s father played at Ohio State, and Offord was committed to Ohio State for 10 months, the Ducks ended up signing both prospects.
It still remains to be seen how many recruits the Buckeyes and Ducks will end up fighting for going forward this year, but Dan Lanning and his staff have unsurprisingly gotten off to a hot start for the 2026 cycle.
The Ducks have taken a quality over quantity approach to their 2026 class so far. Oregon’s 14 pledges are tied for the third-least amount in the Big Ten, but their 93.96 average player rating is not only the best in the Big Ten but also the best in the country.
Contributing to that nation-leading average player rating is Baltimore (Md.) Georgetown Prep. five-star offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho (6-7, 345). Iheanacho, who was offered by Ohio State along with many other programs, is the No. 7-ranked player in the country and the No. 1-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class. With an imposing 6-7, 345-pound frame, it’s easy to understand why scouts like 247 Sports analyst Gabe Brooks are high on the interior offensive lineman.
“Bullish, physical run game presence with immense size and frame dimensions who could potentially provide valuable roster flexibility,” Brooks wrote of Iheanacho on 247 Sports’ website. “Promisingly consistent in hand placement and lower-body drive when engaged. Again, enormous physical traits with plenty of length to live outside, but particularly separate from the field at guard, where he could provide tone-setting brute force.”
Iheanacho is the Ducks’ highest-ranked recruit, but Reidsville (N.C.) five-star tight end Kendre Harrison (6-7, 243) is not far behind him as the No. 20-ranked player in the country.
With Harrison and Iheanacho committed, Oregon is tied with Ohio State atop the Big Ten for the most five-star pledges.
Las Vegas, Bishop Gorman four-star safety Jett Washington (6-5, 200) and Frisco (Texas) Panther Creek four-star wide receiver Jalen Lott aren’t five-stars as of right now, but they are certainly close to that threshold, as both players are ranked inside the top-50.
The Ducks have eight other four-star commits, including top-100 ranked offensive weapons like Texarkana (Texas) Texas High four-star running back Tradarian Bell (5-10, 175) and Rochester (N.Y.) James Monroe four-star wide receiver Messiah Hampton (6-1, 180).
The Ducks’ class is rounded out by only three players ranked outside of 247 Sports’ top-300, including two three-stars.
The Ducks’ lack of total pledges has weighed down its current standing in team recruiting rankings, but their numbers are still solid. Oregon’s composite score is 258.37, the fourth-best mark in the Big Ten and the 12th-best score in the country.
