Oregon Ducks Heating Up on 2026 Recruiting Trail with Eyes on Top Talent
June was a huge month for the Oregon Ducks on the recruiting trail, and all signs point to July being even bigger. After landing five-star safety Jett Washington and four-star receiver Messiah Hampton, the Ducks are now in the running for several more elite prospects.
Among the top targets is five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, ranked No. 8 nationally and the top linebacker in the 2026 class. Atkinson, who visited Eugene in early June, praised head coach Dan Lanning’s defensive mindset and hands-on coaching style. “He’s so into it coaching the defensive players,” Atkinson told On3. “That’s great to have your head coach involved.” While Georgia is seen as the favorite, Oregon remains firmly in the mix thanks to its strong defensive pedigree and recent NFL Draft success—producing four defensive players among ten total picks in 2025.
The Ducks are also heavily pursuing four-star wide receiver Jalen Lott, who is set to announce his commitment on July 8. Lott, from Frisco, Texas, has Oregon in his final five alongside Texas, Georgia, LSU, and USC—the latter holding a family connection as his sister runs track for the Trojans. While a recent prediction leaned toward USC, Oregon is gaining traction.
Oregon’s 2026 class currently ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, with 10 commitments including six four-stars. Key names include linebacker Tristan Phillips, safety Xavier Lherisse, and defensive lineman Tony Cumberland. If the Ducks can close on prospects like Atkinson, Lott, or five-star OT Immanuel Iheanacho, they could climb even higher.
Dan Lanning and his staff have turned up the heat, and July could prove to be a pivotal month in shaping the Ducks’ future.
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