Aydin Breland to Oregon; 5-star defensive lineman chooses Ducks over Georgia, Miami

Mater Dei (California) five-star defensive lineman Aydin Breland commits to Oregon over Georgia, Miami

The whispers began last month.

Big things were potentially unfolding for the Oregon Ducks on the recruiting trail.

Oregon got a hint of that surge last week with the addition of College of San Mateo defensive back Sione Laulea, the nation's No. 1 junior college prospect. 

But on Saturday, the predicted surge began in earnest.

Mater Dei (California) five-star defensive lineman Aydin Breland announced his commitment to Dan Lanning's program over Georgia and Miami.

The 6-foot-4 1/2, 300-pound lineman is rated the nation's No. 11 overall prospect, No. 4 defensive lineman and No. 1 player in the state of California.

Breland's commitment marks the first time Oregon has secured the top player from California since Oaks Christian edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux in the class of 2019.

How did it happen?

Oregon has made Breland a top priority throughout the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Until recently, however, many projected the Georgia Bulldogs to finish on top for the coveted defender.

But Breland has always been seen as a difficult recruit to read, and alarm bells went off for many when Lanning was spotted watching Mater Dei's game last week during Oregon's bye.

By commitment day, the Ducks were widely regarded as the team-to-beat. 

Here's what On3 had to say, in part, about Breland as a prospect:

"Pass-rushing defensive lineman with rare movement skills for his size. ...Has good length for the position with arms over 33 inches. Has a naturally large frame, with his weight fluctuating between 280 and 320 pounds for most of his high school career. ...Typically lines up at defensive end for SoCal powerhouse Mater Dei. Moves like a much smaller player. Pushes the pocket with his speed to power. Bowls offensive tackles into the backfield on contact. Has the strength to stack and shed linemen to make plays against the run. Tracks down plays with his notable pursuit athleticism. ...Works as a rotational player for Mater Dei and is not as productive as most other blue chip defensive linemen to this point. Finished his junior season with 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. ...Older for the cycle, turning 19 years old in January..." 

Oregon may not be done, as Sunnyslope (Arizona) quarterback Luke Moga hinted at Friday night. 

"I have a good feeling about these next few weeks (three Duck emojis)," he wrote.

The Ducks are considered the overwhelming favorites to complete the flip of Salpointe Catholic (Arizona) five-star edge-rusher Elijah Rushing, who decommitted from Arizona last week.

Oregon is also likely to add O'Dea (Washington) running back and All-American Bowl selection Jason Brown, the nation's top uncommitted ball-carrier.

Of course, there's other names worth monitoring, but the big run has begun.

Breland is a Duck, and represents the new headliner of Oregon's class, which is competing to finish with the nation's best defensive haul this year.