Oregon Ducks Land No. 1 Big Ten Recruiting Class for 2026

EUGENE, Ore. — The University of Oregon Ducks football program under coach Dan Lanning has secured the No. 1 recruiting class in the Big Ten for the 2026 season, featuring 17 commits including four five-star prospects — the most of any program nationwide, tied with Notre Dame and Alabama. Headlining the class are elite talents like No. 1 tight end Kendre' Harrison from Reidsville High in North Carolina (committed Nov. 30, 2024), No. 2 offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho from Georgetown Prep in Maryland (July 3, 2025), No. 1 safety Jett Washington from Bishop Gorman in Nevada (June 19, 2025), and No. 2 outside linebacker Anthony Jones from Saint Paul's Episcopal in Alabama (July 31, 2025). According to Rivals, Oregon ranks No. 4 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten behind USC and Ohio State, with the highest average rating per commitment at 92.06 among 23 total prospects (four five-stars, 12 four-stars, seven three-stars).

Local pride shines through with Eugene native Tony Cumberland, the No. 6 defensive tackle from Willamette High School, who committed Sept. 23, 2023, representing the Pacific Northwest pipeline Lanning has cultivated. The Ducks pulled in seven commits from California, including quarterback Bryson Beaver (No. 15 pro-style QB, Vista Murrieta, June 25, 2025) and athlete Jalen Lott (No. 2 ATH, Frisco, Texas, July 8, 2025), plus others from Florida, Texas, Hawaii and beyond, spanning an average distance of 1,418.5 miles. This national reach underscores Oregon's rising NIL appeal, averaging $200K per recruit, and 70% blue-chip ratio.

Recent ESPN rankings boosted Oregon from No. 14 to No. 11 nationally, reflecting momentum as early enrollees like Lott and Iheanacho join post-spring game. With director of player personnel Tyler Dean aiding Lanning's efforts, the class positions the Ducks for dominance in the expanded Big Ten, blending Pacific Northwest roots with coastal stars poised to fill Autzen Stadium.