As the Washington Huskies search for reinforcements for their front seven in the 2026 class, linebackers coach Robert Bala will have to look elsewhere than four-star Tristan Phillips. On Friday, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound product of Ventura High School in California announced his commitment to the Oregon Ducks.
Phillips picked the Ducks over five other finalists: Arizona State, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
“Washington’s staff has recruited me since I was a freshman and was my first FBS offer [when Fisch was at Arizona],” Phillips told 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman before his commitment. “They love the versatility I have and see me as an all-around ‘backer.”
However, that wasn’t enough to seal the deal with the nation’s No. 13 linebacker prospect and No. 204 overall recruit in the 2026 class.
“Growing up, Oregon was a big school for me that I looked up to and watched a lot,” Phillips told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I was rooting for Oregon as a kid, then as time went on and I got into high school football, the dream became reality. I got the offer, but I did my homework. My commitment didn’t happen because Oregon was my dream school. It was about how they recruited me, how they checked a lot of my boxes and what all they have to offer.”
This marks the third time in the last month that the Huskies have lost a blue-chip recruit to the Ducks, joining four-star tight end Vander Ploog and four-star offensive lineman Zac Stascausky.