Brandon Baker, 5-Star Recruit and Nation's No. 1 Offensive Tackle, Sets Commitment Date

Brandon Baker has long been considered an Oregon lean but may be trending elsewhere ahead of a decision.

2024 Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei offensive lineman Brandon Baker is ready to make his decision. 

On Thursday, the nation's No. 1 offensive tackle (per 247Sports) set a commitment date for September 24, according to Greg Biggins of 247Sports.

Baker didn't announce a group of finalists, but the schools that are widely considered to have the best chance at securing his commitment are Oregon, Texas, Nebraska, Ohio State and Tennesse. 

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound lineman is rated a five-star (0.9885) recruit according to the 247Sports Composite. The same system ranks him the No. 21 player nationally, the No. 1 offensive tackle and the No. 2 recruit in California.

Baker is as well-traveled a recruit as you'll find anywhere in the country, but his trips have been few in number of late. He's taken three official visits thus far to Georgia, Ohio State and Texas--all three of which are major recruiting powers on the national scene.

He has one more official visit scheduled to see the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 16.

READ MORE: Bo Nix leads explosive Oregon offense into first test against Texas Tech

Baker has been a frequent visitor for Dan Lanning and the Ducks throughout his recruitment, building on strong family ties to the program after his older brother Gary Baker played defensive line for the Ducks from 2015 to 2019. 

However, the talented offensive lineman hasn't taken an official visit to Oregon yet and there isn't one scheduled between now and his commitment date. 

New offensive line coach A'lique Terry has been earning his keep on the recruiting trail since rejoining the Oregon staff, reeling in commitments from four offensive linemen this cycle in JacQawn McRoy (AL), Fox Crader (WA), Devin Brooks (OR) and Trent Ferguson (OR). 

Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns have turned up the heat in this recruitment and are now viewed by some as the leaders for Baker, but Oregon may make one final push for him if they can get him back on campus for an official visit before he comes off the board.

READ MORE: 2024 Oregon target picks up new recruiting prediction