Ducks Lead for Elite RB Dierre Hill Jr. Following First Oregon Visit

Dierre Hill Jr. is ranked inside the top-100 overall prospects for the 2025 class and loved his time in Eugene.

Oregon hosted its first of two Junior Days over the weekend and had a number of top 2025 prospects on campus. 

One player Duck fans should know is Belleville (IL) Althoff Catholic running back Dierre Hill Jr., who made took his first trip to Eugene. Ducks Digest caught up the No. 6 running back in the country (per 247Sports Composite) to get the latest in his recruitment.

Oregon has one of the strongest brands in the country and that's part of what drew Hill to Eugene in the first place.

"I wanted to take this trip because to be honest with you, I mean it's Oregon," he said. "Oregon has always been a good football program. They've always had a good record and have some great guys come from out of there. So I would just wanted to feel what Oregon was feeling like. 

While Hill got to soak up all the aspects of the Oregon program, one part of the visit in particular was his favorite.

"I really enjoyed the whole trip altogether. All around the trip was amazing. But to give you my favorite, I would say seeing Coach Lock (Carlos Locklyn) and seeing how he coached. Being able to be in his room, his office, where he operates and sends and brings the best running backs that he's coached to the league."

2025 RB Dierre Hill Jr. throws an O with Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn :: Dierre Hill Jr./Oregon Athletics

Another highlight for the Illinois product was getting to spend time with head coach Dan Lanning, who spent extended time with him and his family during the trip.

"And then Coach Lanning, all around he's just a great dude. A lot of coaches, they'll say what they need to say and then they'll be gone, you won't really see him as much. What stuck out to me and my parents the most is him sticking around with us, around all the recruits. He was with us at every station. That shows a lot about him."

There's no shortage of flashy things that can wow recruits in Eugene, but Hill wasn't focused on those things.

"Honestly I would say what everybody else thinks as well and that's obviously the people," Hill said of what stands out most about Oregon. "Coach Lanning, he's doing a great job with his staff all around. All of them are very good and they have great energy. I see why a lot of people do what they do there. Why they love the school so much. That's honestly a good thing. A great thing. That's amazing."

Dierre Hill Jr. poses during a photoshoot on a visit to the University of Oregon :: Dierre Hill Jr./Oregon Athletics

Following his first trip to Oregon the talented back has a couple of other visits set and hopes to get back to Eugene this spring.

"I have the Louisville one that is coming up this weekend," he said. "Then I'm looking to get back down to Oregon the 27th (April) for the spring game. And then March 9 I have Mizzou."

It sounds like Hill still has a ways to go in his recruitment, but he plans to be off the board before his senior season starts.

"I actually was looking more so July and August. This is for a fact I'm going to make my decision before my senior year."

Hill clearly has a lot of love for Oregon as more schools continue to recruit him.

"Oregon, they're definitely on the top of my list as of right now," Hill said. "Just gonna keep the recruiting process up. Looking for whatever comes. I still have a great relationship with Coach Lock and Coach Lanning, but I talk to Coach Lock every day."

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