Oregon has really changed the perception of its roster at the wide receiver position by recruiting the best of the best.
The court of public opinion has determined that the Oregon Ducks are closer to Penn State than they are to Ohio State.
Even though the Ducks are 1-1 against Ohio State in their last two appearances, the Rose Bowl massacre is branded into the minds of everyone, and it will stay there for a very long time.
Oregon has been so close in the last ten years, but they continued to come up just a hair short of the skill position.
On the flip side of that coin, the team and the program that have the respect of the entire nation are not that much ahead of the Ducks. Ohio State is believed to be wide receiver U by just about everyone, and for good reasons.
Over the last two drafts, the Buckeyes had a receiver go in the first round, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year was a Buckeye, and they have arguably the best pure football player in next year's draft with Jeremiah Smith.
So can Oregon compete? The answer is absolutely yes.
The one major downside of Oregon is that it takes a village to get to Eugene. You quite literally have to do "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" just to get all the way out there.
Beyond that, that campus and Dan Lanning have everything you could ever want as a recruit. As Campbell has continued to build his culture and re-establish the identity of the Oregon Ducks, he is now starting to compete with Ohio State on the recruiting front.
Since 2024, the Ducks have been right there in the same conversations and discussions with guys who ultimately chose Ohio State or are being recruited as we speak.
Some of the names on the list from Oregon's side are as follow:
- Gatlin Bair (2024 WR No. 6)
- Jeremiah McClellan (2024 WR No. 18)
- Dakorien Moore (2025 WR No. 1)
- Jalen Lott (2026 WR No. 2 and #12)
- Jamier Brown (2026 WR No. 6)
Combined in those classes are the stars that the Buckeyes took in each of the same classes. It is still very clear that not only does Ohio State get the best talent, but they don't stop developing them.
That's the difference in the two programs.
Oregon got the first step correctly. First, bring in the stars, and then, develop them to become the next great quarterback.
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