Dan Lanning Inches Closer to Land 250lb USC Target as Interesting Recruiting Trend Emerges at Oregon

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Dan Lanning Inches Closer to Land 250lb USC Target as Interesting Recruiting Trend Emerges at Oregon
NCAA, College League, USA Football: CFP National Playoff First Round-Game 4-James Madison at Oregon Dec 20, 2025 Eugene, OR, USA Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning smiles during the third quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Eugene Autzen Stadium OR USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xCraigxStrobeckx 20251220_bgd_qi6_093 ©IMAGO/Imagn Images
NCAA, College League, USA Football: CFP National Playoff First Round-Game 4-James Madison at Oregon Dec 20, 2025 Eugene, OR, USA Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning smiles during the third quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Eugene Autzen Stadium OR USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xCraigxStrobeckx 20251220_bgd_qi6_093 ©IMAGO/Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks’ 2026 recruiting may have finished No. 2 or No. 3 according to major agencies like 247Sports and Rivals, but the 2027 class? It’s taking its dear time. The Ducks are ranked outside the 35th with just 2 recruits. But their January 24 Junior Day? That’s totally going to change, as the Ducks are favorites to lock in a highly touted 250-lb California lineman, as per Steve Wiltfong, and hopefully surge in the ranks.

“Another prediction coming out of the weekend is Avery Michael, Steve Wiltfong said. “He is a guy that is extremely coveted on the offensive line in the state of California. His stock is rising. Oregon had him on campus this weekend talking to him.

Him talking about the excitement of the program. Oregon leads the prediction, reflects that I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s one of the next in the fold.”

Oregon is sitting in the driver’s seat for Avery Michael of Turlock High. After he visited Eugene for Junior Day, the wind really started favouring Eugene. Recruiting experts at On3 even have the Ducks as the heavy favorites to land him, giving them over a 90% chance. The California native is already 6’6 at the age of 16.

The main reason Oregon is winning him over is the personal touch. Avery mentioned that having breakfast with Dan Lanning and hanging out with the whole coaching staff made him feel like a priority. The Turlock High OL didn’t shy away from giving Coach A’lique Terry his love:

“It was good, Coach Terry is really cool,” Avery said. “He talked to me and my family, and I’m really excited to get up there this weekend. His main message for me was letting us know that I’m a big priority to him. He said I would thrive in their system and they are going to do anything they can to get me up there.”

While Oregon is the team to beat, it’s not a done deal just yet. Avery is still keeping his options open and has a “Top 3” that includes Michigan and Nebraska. He’s also planning to check out the Los Angeles schools, USC and UCLA, very soon. He’s taking his time to make sure he picks the perfect fit for his future. Michael’s currently a three-star recruit, but his stock is rising fast because so many big-name schools are starting to chase him. It’s only a matter of time before he gets classified as 4-star.

Even though he hasn’t officially “locked in” with a commitment yet, the vibes and words in Eugene are great. Oregon is building a new practice facility and has a ton of momentum from their recent winning seasons, which makes it hard for any recruit to say no. We’ll probably see if the Ducks can officially close the deal after he finishes his next round of visits.

However, the word around Eugene is getting on the right side of recruiting gods’ blessing when it comes to locking in 5-star wideouts.

An Intriguing Talent-Acquisition Pattern Develops at Oregon

Oregon has officially become “Wide Receiver U” under Dan Lanning. Signing Jalen Lott for the 2026 class makes it four years in a row of landing a five-star playmaker. One time is luck. Two times is a pattern. Four times is a trend. By bringing in guys like Jurrion Dickey (the one who started this streak back in ’23) and Gatlin Bair (the speedster from Idaho), the Ducks have proven they are the place to be if you want to catch touchdowns in a high-powered offense.

What’s really scary for the rest of the country is how these guys actually live up to the hype once they get to Eugene. Take Dakorien Moore, for example. One of the best freshmen in the nation with 497 yards and three touchdowns.

The Ducks are already keeping tabs on five-star wide receiver Kesean Bowman again. The 2027 recruiting season still has a long way to go. But the safe bet is that the Ducks will most definitely run it back for a fifth straight year.

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