Ducks Digest

Oregon Has Established Themselves as Recruiting Heavyweights in Southern California

The Ducks showed their dominance of the west coast after the conclusion of the 2023 class signing.

Josh Parker

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Oregon just wrapped up the 2023 recruiting cycle following a small but eventful National Signing Day. The Ducks finished with the No. 8 recruiting class in the country according to the 247Sports composite.

From Washington to Florida, the Ducks got it done with recruits from across the country. One of the biggest, if not the biggest, states that Oregon needed to dominate on the trail was California.

Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans announced that they're back into the swing of things with an impressive 11-3 finish. Heisman Trophy Winner Caleb Williams helped lead one of the country's best offenses to the Pac-12 championship game and Cotton Bowl appearance. 

Though the Ducks and Trojans didn't clash last season, the Ducks came out on top on the recruiting trail, inking the top class in the Pac-12. Many of the top players came out of Southern California, one of the biggest talent hotbeds in the country. 

“We're always gonna play games in California. I think that's important for us," Lanning said on Wednesday. "Ultimately we want to sign the best players everywhere, but if you can win in your footprint and our footprint--California is part of that. We want to have success there and I think this year we proved that we’re able to do that.”

The Ducks finished four spots ahead of USC, who finished with the nation's No. 12 class according to the 247Sports composite. The biggest win for the Ducks was  landing California recruits over the Trojans.

Some of the biggest names that have signed with Oregon are Southern California natives, Matayo Uiagalelei, Rodrick Pleasant and Daylen Austin.

Uiagalelei, who attended St. John Bosco high school in Bellflower (Calif.) was the second-highest recruit for Oregon this cycle just behind five-star (0.9890) wide receiver Jurrion Dickey. Uiagalelei was ranked the No. 5 prospect in the state and rated a four-star (0.9798) recruit from 247Sports Composite.

The two-way star was able to rack up 47 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble and three pass deflections as a senior. He was used more sparingly on offense, but still contributed seven catches for 86 yards and four touchdowns. 

Pleasant capped of the Ducks' 2023 class run with his commitment on Wednesday morning. Rated as a four-star (0.9575) and ranked No. 7 in the state, the Ducks swooped in to gain the speedy corner's commitment over the hometown Trojans.

CLASS IMPACT: Rodrick Pleasant Chooses Oregon Over USC

Lanning said he wanted to add speed to the Oregon roster and he's getting just that with the fastest athlete in the Golden State. Pleasant set the California 100-meter record by running a 10.14 as a junior and is aiming to be the first to run 9.99 to go out with a bang at Serra.

During the early signing period in December, the Ducks gained a commitment from Daylen Austin, also an Under Armour All-American and one many viewed as a top-defensive back in Southern California. Austin is rated a four-star (0.9463) and finished as the No. 9 recruit in California.

Austin had been committed to the Tigers since May of 2022 and was first offered by USC in April of 2021. The 6-foot-1 cornerback will be a big name to track when he arrives in Eugene. 

It looks like he's aiming to enroll in the spring and both he and Pleasant will jump right into a competitive battle in the secondary as the Ducks work to reload after the departure of Christian Gonzalez.

Lanning has shown how determined his staff has been regarding recruiting in California. With spring football quickly approaching fans will get a sneak peek at what some of these recruits can do within the next few months, including Uiagalelei, who's already enrolled and on campus.

Oregon will host USC this season on November 11 in Eugene in what should be one of the most exciting matchups the Pac-12 has to offer. Both teams have strong hauls in 2023 and should roll out a number of true freshman throughout the upcoming season.

READ MORE: Oregon legacy Akili Smith Jr. talks Ducks offer

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Josh Parker
JOSH PARKER

Josh Parker is a student at the University of North Florida who will be graduating in the winter of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management. He has spent the last six years building vast sports experience as a Division 1 football player at Stetson University, varsity football coach at Nease and Bishop Kenny High Schools. He primarily covers football and recruiting at Ducks Digest.

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