Tag: Elijah Rushing

Elijah Rushing named freshman to watch in college football spring season

All eyes are on Elijah Rushing in the 2024 class for the Oregon Ducks this spring.

There are a lot of intriguing storylines for the Oregon Ducks during this spring football season, most of which have to do with new players on the roster, either incoming transfers or true freshmen.

One of the many new players on this roster who has drawn a lot of attention early on, both through his recruitment and early in spring practices, is true freshman edge rusher Elijah Rushing. As a former 5-star recruit who was rated as the No. 26 player in the 2024 class, there are some eyes on Rushing nationally. This past week, CBS Sports named Rushing as one of several freshmen to watch during spring games this month.

Rushing flipped from his in-state Arizona program to Oregon, giving the Ducks one of the most dynamic edge rushers in the recruiting class. The 6-foot-6 specimen has the length and athleticism to play either with a hand down or standing up, giving him the versatility to get on the field right away in Dan Lanning’s defensive scheme.

After guys like Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, and Blake Purchase all saw significant playing time at the EDGE as true freshmen in 2023, there is a belief that Rushing can play is way into the rotation this year. Seeing what he can do in the spring game will give us a good idea of how likely that is.

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ESPN names Elijah Rushing as potential instant-impact freshman in 2024

Oregon Ducks true freshman Elijah Rushing has been tabbed as a potential instant-impact player in 2024.

There are a lot of new faces on the Oregon Ducks roster as we get prepared for spring football to start in just a couple of weeks, many of whom were members of the historic recruiting class that ranked fifth in the nation for the 2024 cycle.

One of those players is 5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing, who was the top-ranked player in the class for the Ducks. Rushing stands at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, and is rated as the No. 26 overall player in the nation.

When previewing rosters and players ahead of the spring season, ESPN recently went through the top-rated defensive linemen in the class and picked out individuals who could have an instant impact as true freshmen. Rushing was one of those players. Here’s what they had to say about the new Duck:

The Ducks needed to replenish the defensive line considering they are losing edge defender Brandon Dorlus and Jordan Burch’s time in college is limited. Rushing tallied double-digit sacks in each of his final two high school seasons. The four-star has shown the ability to defeat blockers using his length and good bend, as well as the agility to counter inside. He also flashes speed-to-power capabilities which should improve with further physical development in the Ducks’ strength program. Burch’s return is huge for the Ducks’ defense and could ease the need for Rushing to make an immediate impact, though he’ll likely find a role early on with the ability to develop into a key presence off the edge over the next couple of seasons for the newest member of the Big Ten.

In 2023, Oregon saw true freshmen edge-rushers like Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, and Blake Purchase have major impacts, so there wouldn’t be a ton of surprise to see another true freshman like Rushing make his presence be felt early in his career.

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Oklahoma among teams with the most players in 247Sports Top247

Oklahoma put together a great recruiting class in 2024, finishing among the teams with the most Top247 signees in the country.

The Oklahoma Sooners put together arguably their best class of the [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] era in 2024. It wasn’t ranked higher than the 2023 class, but because of the defensive talent it is bringing in, it makes a strong argument for the top spot.

A great way to show the strength of a class is to look at how many blue-chip prospects a team signed. Blue-chip prospects are defined as four- and five-star prospects. To show how important that is, according to the blue-chip ratio, programs need to sign more four- and five-star recruits than two- and three-star players over the previous four recruiting classes (better than a 1:1 ratio) to have a shot at a title.

To go further, three of the four College Football Playoff teams this past season met the blue-chip ratio criteria heading into the season, including the eventual national champion. Every national champion has met the blue-chip ratio criteria dating to the tool’s inception in 2013. So, how did Oklahoma fare compared to other teams in the 2024 class? Turns out, quite well.

The Sooners were among the top 10 teams that signed the most prospects from the 247Sports Top247 player rankings.

Enrolling early helps players get acclimated, but has its challenges for Oregon’s freshmen

Dan Lanning spoke on Tuesday about how enrolling in the spring benefits incoming freshman on the Oregon Football coaches show.

As college football has evolved into the 21st century, the lines between student-athlete and professional-athlete have blurred. College football players now can profit from their name, image, and likeness; they maintain a strict weekly routine during the season; and their offseason never truly comes with non-stop training in the “off months.”

The growing importance of the spring football season in the past few decades has led to increasing numbers of incoming freshman working to graduate early and enroll at their new university in the spring semester so they can participate in spring workouts and practices. It’s a quick turnaround and the time commitment can be a lot for someone who may not even be able to vote yet.

On Wednesday, Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning joined the Oregon Football Coaches’ show to help preview the upcoming Oregon football season. The Ducks had a large contingent of their 2024 class enroll early, so Lanning spoke about how it can be challenging for players at first.

“Well, just your schedule in general,” Lanning said “It can be pretty taxing when it’s starting off with football in the morning and finishing the class in the afternoon and possibly having a meeting after night. So it becomes really important how you manage your time.”

Of Oregon’s 27 high recruits in the class of 2024, 20 were expected to enroll early. Among those 20 are Elijah Rushing, Aydin Breland, and Jeremiah McClellan.

Enrolling in the spring can be challenging, but the biggest reason it’s become more popular is the benefit it offers the players. Freshmen can take more time to learn the team’s system, build chemistry with their teammates, and develop their skills. Coaches also start to fill out the depth chart during the spring season, so it’s in the interest of incoming players to showcase their skills as soon as they can.

“Yeah, I mean, anytime you can get acclimated, get into the process, you know, start early as far as learning the substance of the playbook,” Lanning said.  “And learning you know, what’s it like to be a college student all those things that it gets is really valuable time.”

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Top five edge defenders signed to the Big Ten during the early signing period

Top five edge defenders signed to the Big Ten during the early signing period #GoBucks

The initial hype of the early signing period has died down, but there was a ton of talent to explore and so much so we are breaking it down by position. We have already dove into the top five quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles, and interior offensive linemen to sign with Big Ten teams and now we want to break down a position that Ohio State has struggled in with edge defenders.

The Big Ten can recruit pass rushers and edge defenders as evidenced by the conference snagging four of the top 20 edge rushers in the class. It is a shame that the Buckeyes are not present on this list, but it is also more depressing that the Michigan Wolverines make an appearance twice, but  let’s now dive into the top five edge defenders to sign with Big Ten teams during the early signing period according to 247Sports.

Also, other sites may have some of the players assigned to different positions, but we’re just going by how 247Sports has them classified.

SIGNED: 5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing is offiically a Duck

The Oregon Ducks officially signed 5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing, adding him to the 2024 class.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

That’s an apt expression for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks when it comes to the recruitment of 5-star edge rusher Elijah Rushing, who officially signed his national letter of intent on Wednesday, joining the Ducks’ 2024 class.

Rushing was one of the most high-profile targets for Oregon ever since the start of the Lanning era, but he shocked a lot of people by committing to the Arizona Wildcats earlier this year, despite many thinking that he was a lock to end up in Eugene.

Lanning did not stop recruiting him, though, and eventually Rushing changed his mind, flipping from the Wildcats to the Ducks.

Rushing, standing at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, is among the most coveted players in the nation, ranked by 247Sports as the No. 17 overall player and No. 2 EDGE in the 2024 class. He ultimately chose Oregon over schools like Arizona, Notre Dame, Georgia, and Michigan.

The EDGE position looks incredibly strong for Oregon going into 2024, led by a trio of true freshmen who produced at a high-level last year, plus the possibility that Jordan Burch returns for another year. Though Rushing will have a lot of competition for playing time, we’ve seen consistently under Lanning that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough to play.

Here’s a look at Rushing’s high school highlights:

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Ducks rise in recruiting rankings after landing 5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing

Oregon surges up the 247Sports recruiting rankings after its latest 5-star commitment.

Dan Lanning is doing his job on the field and that was more evident this past weekend after Oregon clobbered Utah 35-6 in Salt Lake City.

But the second-year coach is also cleaning up off the field as he is poised to land Oregon’s best-ever recruiting class. The Ducks surged up the 247Sports’ recruiting rankings after receiving a verbal commitment from five-star defensive end/edge rusher Elijah Rushing out of Arizona.

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The Tucson, Ariz. native was once committed to Arizona, but recently de-committed from the Wildcats and is set to sign with the Ducks. Rushing is the No. 1 EDGE rusher in the nation and the No. 8 overall player in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports.

Here are the updated recruiting rankings with Oregon’s most recent commitment included.

Oregon fans react to Ducks landing commitment from 5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing

Oregon Duck fans celebrated once again on Monday morning after 5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing announced his commitment.

When it rains, it pours, and it’s currently raining victories for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks in Eugene.

After picking up a big-time road win over the Utah Utes on Saturday and jumping up to No. 6 in the nation, the Ducks got a massive win on the recruiting trail, landing 5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing, a player who decommitted from the Arizoan Wildcats just a handful of weeks ago.

Rushing is rated as the No. 14 overall player in the 2024 class, and the No. 2 EDGE.

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This is the second 5-star player that the Ducks have added in the past month, with 5-star DL Aydin Breland committing hours before the Washingon game.

As you would expect, Oregon fans celebrated accordingly on Monday with the Ducks jumping up to No. 6 in the national recruiting rankings. Here are some of the best reactions on social media:

5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing announces commitment to Oregon

5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing announces commitment to Oregon

The Oregon Ducks weren’t able to land him initially, but after staying persistent, Dan Lanning ultimately got the prize.

5-star EDGE rusher Elijah Rushing announced his commitment to the Ducks on Monday. Rushing is rated by 247Sports as the No. 14 overall player in the 2024 class, and the No. 2 EDGE rusher in the nation.

Throughout almost the entirety of his recruitment, Rushing was considered a lock to commit to the Ducks. However, the No. 1 prospect from Arizona surprised a lot of people when he committed to the Arizona Wildcats instead.

Unsurprisingly, Lanning didn’t let up in the recruitment, and after a couple of months, Rushing announced that he would be decommitting from the Wildcats in early October.

Rushing now joins an Oregon class that is ranked in the top 10 in the nation, and looks to be one of the strongest defensive classes that the Ducks have ever signed.

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Former Notre Dame target 5-star defensive end decommits from Arizona

Will the Irish try once more?

When Arizona 2024 5-star defensive end [autotag]Elijah Rushing[/autotag] was set to make his verbal commitment in July, many thought that [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] was in the mix.

Rushing opted to stay home and commit to the Wildcats, but has had a chance of heart and decommitted. The door now has opened for the Irish to make a move, but the question is will it be to South Bend?

He made an official visit in June, so Rushing is very familiar with that Notre Dame has to offer. Now that he is back on the market, it’s up to the Irish coaching staff to get back into his ear and continue to recruit.

The early indications are that he is now leaning towards an Oregon commitment, but since that hasn’t been made, there is still time for Notre Dame to make a push in Rushing’s re-recruitment.

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