The Oregon Ducks and head coach Dan Lanning are on a quest to build another elite recruiting class in the 2028 cycle.

After an incredible run in the 2027 recruiting cycle, which saw the Ducks land a consensus top-three class, Lanning and his coaching staff will look to replicate the success in the 2028 cycle. Luckily for the program, Oregon received some promising news regarding a top player in the upcoming class.

According to Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett last week, 2028 four-star linebacker Judah Blair is down to 10 schools, including the Ducks.

Blair, a rising defender out of the Midwest, is quickly becoming a notable target for Lanning and the Ducks. As of this month, the talented playmaker is the No. 3 prospect in the state of Ohio and the No. 5 linebacker prospect in the 2028 class, per 247Sports’ Composite.

Through his first six games during the 2026-27 high school football season at Lakota West, Blair continues to dominate on the defensive front, recording 55 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflections, and one sack. His stout play against both the pass and the run game allows him to be a key weapon on the Firebirds’ defense.

However, in order for Lanning and his coaching staff to land Blair in the upcoming recruiting cycle, the program must compete against some of the top schools in the nation.

Earlier this year, Blair received his offer from Oregon, as the Ducks were one of the first schools to enter into the mix for the blossoming prospect. Since then, the Ohio native has received offers from Indiana, Michigan, and Texas A&M, but Blair’s initial top 10 schools only feature head coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers.

One program to keep a close eye on throughout Blair’s recruitment journey is the Kentucky Wildcats. Former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein is off to an impressive start as the team’s newest head coach, and with plenty of momentum on his side, there’s a chance that Blair could opt to stay close to home when making his college decision.

Looking ahead at Oregon’s 2028 recruiting class, Lanning and the Ducks have yet to land a commit in the future cycle. Still, Blair is not the lone linebacker that the program has their eyes on, as four-star Jameer Miles is also viewed as a massive target. Miles is the No. 3 linebacker in the 2028 recruiting class, so the Ducks have an opportunity to land two top-five linebackers in next year’s recruiting cycle.