'He's a unicorn;' 5-star Jett Washington carries expectations in 2026

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When you look at the Oregon Ducks' 2026 signing class, there are a lot of guys to talk about.

It could be 5-star edge rusher Anthony "Tank" Jones, the No. 1 player from Alabama who chose Oregon over the Crimson Tide, making it the second straight year that the Ducks have landed the top player from the state. You could also bring up 5-star wide receiver Jalen Lott, the No. 1 WR from the state of Texas, following in Dakorien Moore's footsteps in choosing the Ducks.

Maybe it's 5-star TE Kendre Harrison, who stands at 6-foot-7 and is a high school hoops phenom? Or what about 5-star OT Immanuel Iheanacho, a 6-foot-7, 375-pound mountain of a man on the offensive line?

The Ducks' 2026 class features some undoubtedly impressive players who are sure to have bright futures to come. There was only one player, however, that defensive coordinator Chris Hampton labeled "a unicorn" in this class.

That player is 5-star safety Jett Washington.

Standing at about 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Washington is the size of a big tight end, or maybe a lean edge rusher. He lines up in the secondary, though, and acts as one of the most physically dominant safeties that Oregon will have seen in recent memory.

Now, as the new DC in Eugene, Hampton can't wait to bring him under his wing.

"He's got the best height-weight-speed combination in all of high school football," Hampton said on Wednesday during Oregon's National Signing Day event. "This is obviously Kobe Bryant's nephew. His dad was actually a running back who played in the NFL. Violent hitter, great ball skills, great basketball player, great athlete. This guy has a big-time future. He's a unicorn."

While Washington will be known as the late Kobe Bryant's nephew early in his career, he hopes to make a name for himself quickly at Oregon and establish himself as one of the best defenders in the nation. With his size, he will offer an incredible amount of range in the secondary. What will be interesting to see is how Lanning and his staff plan to utilize him. Will he be more of a box safety, coming up and playing in the rover role that Dylan Thieneman championed in 2024? Or will he be deep, playing in coverage and defending the long ball like a Jevon Holland?

We can't know these things until we see Washington on the field, but it's clear early on that the staff has big plans for this unicorn.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks 5-star freshman Jett Washington described as 'a unicorn'

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