On a sunny Saturday in 1994 at Autzen Stadium, cornerback Kenny Wheaton carved out his place in Oregon Ducks lore.
Fast forward to the fall of 2026, and his son, Kai Wheaton, will have the chance to build a legacy of his own—only this time, in a different shade of Oregon.
Today, Kai Wheaton, a 3-star defensive back from Texas in the 2026 class, announced his commitment to Oregon State, the Ducks’ fiercest rival. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound corner has been a standout at powerhouse Allen High School, earning starting roles in consecutive seasons. Projected to transition to safety at the college level, Wheaton tallied three interceptions during his 2023 sophomore campaign and earned first-team all-district recognition as a junior in 2024. His offer list includes Arkansas, Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Houston, Texas Tech, and others.
While his father became a Duck legend, Kai isn’t the first in the family to wear Beaver colors. His cousin, Markus Wheaton, was a standout receiver at Oregon State, earning All-Pac-12 honors from 2009 to 2012 before playing six seasons in the NFL with the Steelers, Bears, and Eagles.
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