[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=none image=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
While the wins keep rolling for the Oregon Ducks on the field, a trio of tough blows on the recruiting front has come over the past week that might cause some unrest in the fanbase, and force questions to be asked.
While the news that 5-star offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia was entering the transfer portal stung last week, more recent developments on the recruiting front might be a bit more concerning. On Monday, 4-star WR Nicholas Anderson announced that he was de-committing from Oregon and flipping to the Oklahoma Sooners, and Wednesday night brought the de-commitment from 4-star WR Isaiah Sategna, who is flipping to his home state Arkansas Razorbacks.
Recruiting prowess has been a hot topic for the Ducks as of late, and with another top-rated class in the Pac-12 taking shape, seeing blue-chip prospects decide to go elsewhere is concerning, to say the least. With the loss of Anderson and Sategna, Oregon’s 2022 recruiting class dropped from No. 7 nationally to No. 8. They still stand at No. 1 in the conference.
[lawrence-related id=11936]
So is there an explanation for it all?
Definitely, and it’s likely an explanation that can be seen as a positive for the Ducks.
First off, you have to look at the young talent on the roster and consider the fact that any recruit coming into the program knows that they will have to be competing with last year’s recruiting class for playing time. At Oregon, that means any WR coming to Eugene next year will be battling with the likes of Troy Franklin, Donte Thornton, Kris Hutson, and Isaiah Brevard, all of whom are considered “blue-chip” prospects (4- or 5-star player). On top of that, there’s always the chance that some additional players stick around for another year in order to improve their NFL draft stock. Might Mycah Pittman or Devon Williams choose to stay for one more year? You can’t rule it out at this point.
So the quick answer is that when you consider the players on the roster, anyone coming in might think twice about how quickly they can get onto the field in their freshman season, choosing to go elsewhere instead. Now also add in the fact that the 2022 recruiting class is not yet finalized, and the Ducks already have 4-star WR Tetairoa McMillan and 3-star WR Stephon Johnson verbally committed. On top of that, Oregon is still targeting multiple WRs to bring in. Specifically, look at 4-star WR Darrius Clemons, and 5-star WR Kevin Coleman.
[lawrence-related id=11917]
Clemons is a 6-foot-3 WR from Westview High School in Portland, Ore. He is a home-state kid who is currently “warm” on Oregon according to 247 Sports, and his Crystal Ball is pointed heavily in the Ducks’ favor.
Coleman, on the other hand, is considered the No. 3 WR in the nation, and he is also reportedly “warm” on Oregon. Of course, Coleman is also “warm” on Florida State, Alabama, Arizona State, and USC. The Crystal Ball has him currently favoring Florida State.
Regardless of whether or not the Ducks end up landing Clemons or Coleman, or both, it’s clear that there is a chance, and that has to factor into the current commit’s decisions. In the case of Anderson and Sategna, it appears they made a business decision and decided to play elsewhere.
So at face value, yes — Oregon losing blue-chip players to other schools is something to worry about, but once you decipher what the actual reasons might be, it’s understandable. None of this is to say that competition is 100% the reason why both prospects flipped their commitment, but logic would lead you to believe it played a part in it all.
Over the next several months, we will find out how solid Oregon’s 2021 class ends up being, and we can judge their recruiting prowess from there. Until then, I don’t think there should be a lot to worry about on that front.
[listicle id=11900]