The Latest With Oregon and T'Andre Waverly Ahead of Return Visit

Waverly has been a big target for Oregon in the 2025 class and will be back in town for the USC game.

Oregon will host the No. 1-ranked player in Washington this weekend.

2025 Mukilteo (Wash.) Kamiak tight end T'Andre Waverly will return to Eugene to see the Ducks take on the USC Trojans.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound pass-catching tight end spoke highly of his relationships with the Oregon coaching staff.

"Probably my best connection with them (Oregon) than any of the other colleges I'm talking to," Waverly said of why he's making the return trip. "And they're playing USC. It's a big game. I want to be there to be able to experience that."

His primary recruiters at Oregon include tight ends coach Drew Mehringer and offensive analyst Steve Ha'unga. Waverly has appreciated Mehringer's coaching efforts during the recruiting process.

"He's the main one I talk to. Before the season I was talking to him every day. Of course it slowed down because his season started too," he said. "He's been giving me the most tips, just how to improve my game."

What stands out the most about Oregon to the four-star recruit may surprise some.

"Not even from a sports perspective, just the connections you can get there. Especially like in business as a student is really good. 

"Even if football doesn't work out I know I have a pathway for me to go to Oregon. If I go to Oregon."

Further strengthening the appeal with the Ducks is something they don't often have in their favor: location.

'"And it's one of those schools for me where it's just far enough away from home," Waverly said. "Where it's like, I'm not in the same place, but I can always go back if I want to."

The Ducks have been no strangers to recruiting the state of Washington, and Oregon prioritizing his state is something that has resonated well.

"(It) Means that they know where to look for the hidden gems."

With 19 reported scholarship offers, there's a small number of schools that he's been hearing from the most.

"Oregon, Auburn, Michigan and Penn State," he said.

From that group he's only taken trips to Oregon and Michigan, but hopes to see Auburn and Penn State during the offseason.

With a smaller group potentially standing out, Waverly spoke to where he's at in his recruiting process.

"Right now I'm really trying to narrow it down to like a top five," he said. "I'm gonna start really focusing on where I want to go."

As for a decision timeline, it sounds like there's a long way to go.

"I want to know at least before football season starts for my senior year."

As he takes more trips and examines the schools recruiting him, the Washington product is placing an importance on his fit in the offense.

"Usually when I'm looking at schools I'll look at the tight end position and then I would look to see if they have tight ends who are kind of my type of build," Waverly said. "More of a like a pass-catching tight end. I want to see how well they use them, how well that tight end is doing."

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