CLASS IMPACT: Oregon Adds 5-Star DL Aydin Breland to 2024 Recruiting Class
On Saturday, Oregon scored a huge commitment from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei defensive lineman Aydin Breland.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound defender chose the Ducks from a final three that also included the Georgia Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes and became the new headliner in Oregon's 2024 recruiting class.
Let's break down this commitment from all angles.
Recruiting Impact
This could very well be the biggest high school commitment that Dan Lanning has landed since he became the head coach at Oregon.
I had to take a second before writing that sentence, but I believe it's true. 2023 Adidas All-American edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei is the closest comparison in terms of weight at the high school level, but I think there's an argument to be made for Breland.
The main reason for that is because Dan Lanning beat out Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs in what's become a very common recruiting battle (see Nate Frazier, Justin Williams, Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, and that's just in 2024). Oregon has had to settle for being a finalist for top-tier talent so many times--especially against SEC teams--but not anymore.
Dan Lanning has placed a premium on bringing in the best defensive line talent he can find and Breland is the latest example of that. Oregon continues to strengthen its pipeline to Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei, as Breland looks set to join his teammate Jack Ressler in Eugene.
It can't be overstated how notable of a recruiting win this is, and it only gives the Ducks more juice on the recruiting trail as they continue to trend as the heavy favorites for five-star edge rusher Elijah Rushing. Jericho Johnson is another important name to watch along the defensive line and I have my pick on Oregon, but I believe Washington is the biggest threat there and he just visited over the weekend for the game in Seattle.
Evaluation
When you turn on the tape, Breland's game pops pretty quickly. He's got all the traits you want in a defensive lineman.
He's got power, violent hands, athleticism and a high motor that gives him the ability to finish plays. He plays with a lot of intensity, but one of my takeaways after watching him in person for two seasons is spotty consistency.
You see him flash on occasion, and you find yourself saying 'wow, that's a dude.' But at times he can be a non-factor.
I don't say that as a slight, but it's something that's caught my eye. I imagine coaches at both Mater Dei and Oregon would like to see him show up more consistently and put it all together, which is understandably easier said than done.
Breland's 6-foot-5, 290-pound frame gives him the size to compete at the college level right now and he'll slide in nicely alongside players like the aforementioned Uiagalelei as well as Jake Shipley in the defensive line room.
You don't find a lot of players like him out West and this Oregon staff knew they had to have him this cycle.
Roster Outlook at Oregon
Breland is already getting billed as a first-round talent ahead of playing college ball. With that come high expectations to contribute early upon enrolling, and I think he's capable of doing that.
All of the physical tools are clearly there, but he does need to get coached up to refine certain elements of his game and he should thrive at Oregon after playing both alongside and against elite competition at Mater Dei.
I'm not sure if he'll carve out as big of a role as Uiagalelei will right away, but he should be a multi-year starter with the Ducks once he gets comfortable in Eugene. With the amount of veterans Tony Tuioti is going to lose after the 2023 season, Breland will have a great opportunity to earn snaps as a true freshman.