Ducks Digest

Jaylen McClain Breaks Down Oregon Visit

Jaylen McClain is a top safety target for Oregon and new co-defensive coordinator Chris Hampton.

Max Torres

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The Oregon Ducks hosted a number of their top recruiting targets this past weekend as prospects from across the country traveled to Eugene to get a closer look at the program Dan Lanning is building.ย 

One of those top targets was 2024 West Orange (NJ) Seton Hall Prep safety Jaylen McClain, who placed Oregon in his top 10 last month.

One of the main highlights from McClain's first trip to Eugene was getting to watch the Ducks' spring practice on Saturday.

"Definitely a practice. It was very fast-paced," he told Ducks Digest. "The meetings were pretty fast-paced. You get the material, you learn it, go on the field, you drill it. I liked that about it. Everybody was getting their reps in. Nobody slacking, just chilling."

While in Eugene he spent time with defensive analyst Kamran Araghi, Dan Lanning, Tosh Lupoi, Dan Lanning and Chris Hampton.

This trip was a big one to help match faces with names and continue building relationships.

"All the coaches were pretty good. I know the love there is very genuine," McClain noted. "Obviously it's different over the phone than in person. Being there with them, I definitely felt a good vibe from them. I just know they're good people. I know they're good coaches and want to develop me."

The 6-foot, 186-pound defensive back came away from his trip to Eugene with a better feel for the program and is more than comfortable with the idea of playing his college ball across the country.

"The visit definitely made me feel good. The questions that I had got answered. Obviously the biggest issue people would probably think is the trip there. But I feel like being there in a special place like Oregon would definitely be worth the trip."

The talented safety could be a piece the Ducks are missing in the secondary, especially with safety play being up-and-down over the past couple of seasons.

Jaylen McClain Visits Oregon

Jaylen McClain Oregon Visit 2
Jaylen McClain/Oregon Athletics

The message the Ducks are sending seems to be resonating with McClain.

"Definitely that I could help win a national championship," he said about the Ducks' message. "Obviously Oregon is real close. They already have all the good recruiting classes, but I feel like they're trying to let me know that with my type of play style, versatility and grit I could help win a national championship with them.ย 

"Definitely if I keep coming and buy into this program, I'll be a pretty good piece to the puzzle."

There's a lot that goes into what makes McClain so interested in Oregon, including the hunger for the program's first national title.ย 

"Definitely the staff. The vision they have," he said. "The O has so much power and benefits you so much more than just football. So that's definitely a plus. The staff has a vision for the future--they're not settling for nothing less than what they deserve. You obviously want to go to a team that has a vision for a national championship so I feel like that's a good thing for them."

With his first trip to Eugene in the books, does he see himself getting back out to the Northwest in the future?

"Yes. I definitely plan to get back out there probably before an official or around that time," McClain said. "But I definitely plan to get back to Eugene."

Looking ahead he'll head to Penn State this weekend, but he doesn't have any other trips locked in.

McClain plans to commit before his senior season around July or early August and said he's hearing the most from schools all over the country.

"Definitely Oregon, Penn State, Michigan State, USC, Michigan, Rutgers. Also Notre Dame as well."

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Max Torres
MAX TORRES

Max Torres is the publisher and lead editor of Ducks Digest. He's covered the Oregon football and recruiting beats for four years. He's based out of Long Beach, CA and travels around Southern California and the country covering top high school football prospects.

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