Can the Oregon Ducks fight off a red hot SEC blueblood program working to swipe a five-star recruit from them?
Eugene is buzzing with recruiting energy as the Oregon Ducks chase elite talent for their 2026 class, but one of their top targets, 5-star safety Jireh Edwards, might be slipping away. The No. 12 overall prospect and No. 2 safety in the nation (per On3) has the Ducks in his final six—alongside Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, […]
Eugene is buzzing with recruiting energy as the Oregon Ducks chase elite talent for their 2026 class, but one of their top targets, 5-star safety Jireh Edwards, might be slipping away.
The No. 12 overall prospect and No. 2 safety in the nation (per On3) has the Ducks in his final six—alongside Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, and Texas A&M—but recent chatter suggests he’s trending toward the Crimson Tide.
On3’s Steve Wiltfong dropped a prediction favoring Alabama, and Edwards’ upcoming official visit to Tuscaloosa on June 28 could seal the deal. He’s set to announce his commitment on July 5.
Edwards, a dynamic 6’2”, 185-pound defensive back from Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy, visited Oregon earlier this spring and has an official visit locked in for June 19.
The Ducks are pulling out all the stops to sway him, banking on their elite facilities, NFL pipeline, and Dan Lanning’s defensive expertise. Despite the Alabama buzz, sources close to the recruitment say Oregon’s pitch is resonating, with Edwards impressed by the program’s upward trajectory and Lanning’s hands-on approach. Ryan Roberts of AtoZ Sports reports that Oregon remains a serious contender, but they’ll need a knockout visit to flip the momentum.
If Edwards heads to the SEC, Oregon’s not sweating it—they’ve got other aces in the hole. The Ducks hosted 5-star safety Jett Washington last weekend, and the vibes were electric. Washington, the No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class out of Nevada and nephew of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, canceled a visit to Ohio State to check out Eugene instead.
Insiders say the Ducks are in pole position after his trip, with Washington raving about the coaching staff and Oregon’s “scary” potential. AtoZ Sports notes that Oregon’s ability to pair Washington with other elite defensive backs could create a nightmare secondary for opponents.
Another big name in the mix is 5-star safety Joey O’Brien, who also visited Eugene recently. O’Brien, set to commit on June 20, has Oregon battling Clemson, Notre Dame, and Penn State.
His social media post after the visit—tagging Washington and 5-star cornerback Brandon Arrington with “This would be scary” and duck emojis—has fans dreaming of a loaded defensive backfield. Oregon’s in a strong spot with O’Brien, and landing him could soften any sting from missing Edwards.
Despite some recruiting hiccups, like 5-star edge rusher Richard Wesley’s decommitment, Oregon’s 2026 class is shaping up nicely. The Ducks jumped to No. 9 in On3’s team rankings after securing 4-star edge Prince Tavizon, and they’re hot on the trail of 5-star offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho and 5-star wide receiver
Calvin Russell. Lanning’s relentless recruiting and Oregon’s Big Ten spotlight keep them in the hunt for top talent. Even if Edwards rolls with Alabama, the Ducks’ Plan B looks just as lethal.
Stay tuned—June’s official visits could shake up the recruiting landscape in Eugene.
