Torres' Take: The Latest in Oregon Football Recruiting, Colorado Week

The latest notes, analysis and intel on Oregon recruiting ahead of yet another massive recruiting weekend.

It's another big recruiting weekend for Dan Lanning and the No. 10 Oregon Ducks (3-0) in Eugene, as they play host to Deion Sanders and the No. 19 Colorado Buffaloes (3-0). 

While there's no shortage of hype for what will unfold on the field, not to be lost in the shuffle is what will be happening off the field, as another flock of elite recruits descend on Autzen Stadium. 

Without further ado, let's get into it.

Jericho Johnson

Easily one of the headliners from this weekend's visitor list, the 4-star defensive lineman from Fairfield (Calif.) Armijo is one of the Ducks top remaining targets in 2024. 

Oregon likes where they stand here, but they're mainly contending with Washington in what could shape up to be a head-to-head recruiting battle. With no decision date set, USC and Utah, the other schools rounding out his top 4, shouldn't be counted out completely. But right now it's sounding like Ducks vs. Huskies.

Johnson is an important visitor for two reasons. First, you don't find many 6-4, 300-pound defensive linemen out West, so when they're there, you make them a priority. And second, the Ducks are still in the thick of it for 5-star Mater Dei defensive lineman Aydin Breland, as they battle Georgia and Miami. 

Oregon is still very much alive in that recruitment, and they'd love to add at least one of Johnson or Breland to a class that ranks No. 12 nationally, but my feel is that Breland is the bigger priority.

Jason Brown Jr.

Another big 2024 visitor, the Seattle running back will make the short trip to Eugene at what could be a crucial juncture in his recruitment. 

While he was previously predicted to Michigan State, Mel Tucker's firing only shifts this one further into Oregon's favor. I was told this week that Washington is trying to ramp things back up--but the Ducks never faded and I know Carlos Locklyn likes what Brown brings to the table. 

He was on campus back in the summer for SNL and will return this weekend in an unofficial capacity, which means we can likely project he'll be back for an official visit at some point down the road. Like Johnson, Brown hasn't set a commitment date yet, but I still think Oregon is the leader, and I'm feeling good about my Oregon prediction that I made last month.

Tony Cumberland

The 5-star defensive lineman out of Arizona will be on campus this weekend and it's a big visit. Cumberland has been to Eugene before and I'm really liking where Oregon stands here.

He's all the way out in 2026, but it never hurts to be in a good spot early. The Ducks see him as a special player in that class and are heavily in the mix.

Roger Saleapaga II

Saleapaga is an interesting recruit that I think some Duck fans may have forgotten about. If memory serves, this weekend will be his fourth trip to Eugene, as the Orem (Ut.) standout was also on campus for the spring game.

Listed as a 6-foot-4, 213-pound tight end, he's more of a receiving option than your traditional tight end. He kind of reminds me of what Kenyon Sadiq was coming out of Skyline Senior High School in Idaho. 

Tight end is a priority for the Ducks this year, as it's not a huge stretch to think that Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert could test the NFL waters in 2024. That said, the Ducks have three tight end commitments this cycle in A.J. Pugliano, Jaxson Ford and Kade Caton, but if they take another, I think Salaepaga certainly has a case to be that guy.

He's working from a top 10 that was released back in July, but the latest I'm hearing is that Oregon and Auburn are the two teams with the most momentum.

Brandon Baker

Not a lot to add here but perhaps worth a mention ahead of his commitment on Sunday. I have my pick in for Texas and I'm not seeing any reason to change that now. The other teams that I've heard about a bit recently are Nebraska and a little of Ohio State, but my thinking has been that Oregon won't get him unless he gets back on campus before his announcement.

With Mater Dei playing in Baltimore tonight against St. Frances Academy, it certainly looks like a stretch.

Best of the Rest

Can we just take a second to acknowledge AGAIN how big of a game this is? Colorado vs. Colorado State had 9.3 million viewers last week and I think this game will blow those numbers out of the water.

Prime Time, Dan Lanning, the Oregon Ducks and Nike? I was going to say this is probably the biggest home game the Ducks have had since Washington last year, but that sounded kind of silly to say because it was only a year ago.

The point here is that a CRAZY amount of eyeballs will be on this game and with that comes exposure and another prime opportunity to capitalize on the recruiting trail.

READ MORE: Oregon defensive keys to the game vs. No. 19 Colorado

READ MORE: Oregon offensive keys to the game vs. No. 19 Colorado