The Oregon Ducks and head coach Dan Lanning have done an incredible job of shaping the future of the program throughout their efforts on the high school recruiting trail this offseason.

As a consensus top-five program in the 2027 recruiting cycle, it’s clear that Lanning’s dominance in acquiring young playmakers continues to be a key storyline for Oregon fans. But with many schools beginning to prepare for the 2028 class, the Ducks must shift their focus on next year’s class.

According to Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett on Thursday afternoon, 2028 four-star EDGE George Parkinson IV has reached his final six schools, with Lanning and the Ducks being featured in the mix.

Parkinson, as one of the top risers in the 2028 class, has been on Oregon’s radar since the beginning of the new year. Currently, the prolific defender is the No. 2 prospect in the state of Pennsylvania, as well as the No. 14-ranked EDGE rusher in the 2028 cycle, per 247Sports’ Composite.

Standing at 6-foot-4, 235 lbs., Parkinson still has plenty of room to grow before he reaches the college level. However, his quickness and strength off the line of scrimmage allow him to be a terrific disrupter in the passing game, while also enabling him to be a tone setter off the EDGE in the run game.

Still, in order for Lanning and the Ducks to land Parkinson for their 2028 class, the well-regarded program must compete against the likes of multiple elite schools, including the LSU Tigers, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Penn State Nittany Lions. With Parkinson residing in the state of Pennsylvania, it’s clear that the promising defensive end has caught the attention of newly hired head coach Matt Campbell, as he received an offer from the program shortly after the Nittany Lions’ Junior Day back in January.

Looking ahead at Lanning and his coaching staff’s efforts in the 2028 recruiting class, the Ducks have not received a commitment in their upcoming class of high school prospects. Oregon has shown interest in two five-star EDGEs, Darieon Prescott and Jayden Bell, but a commitment from Parkinson would finally give Lanning his first commitment of the 2028 cycle.

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