One of the Ducks top recruits is carrying on the tradition of a sacred jersey number heading into his freshman season
As Oregon Ducks fans begin looking ahead to a new season, one of the biggest storylines of the offseason will be the impact that their elite recruiting class makes on the field. From the spring games through to summer training camp, how the top incoming freshmen perform and what roles they begin to carve out […]
As Oregon Ducks fans begin looking ahead to a new season, one of the biggest storylines of the offseason will be the impact that their elite recruiting class makes on the field. From the spring games through to summer training camp, how the top incoming freshmen perform and what roles they begin to carve out will be fascinating to watch.
The secondary, in particular, is a loaded recruiting class for Oregon. They landed three of the best in the country in Na'eem Offord, Dorian Brew, and Trey McNutt.
Heading into his freshman season, it looks like McNutt, who flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Oregon, is already being granted one of the most notorious numbers in Oregon history.
In college football, a player on offense and defense can wear the same number, but the No. 8 has been worn by some of Oregon's greatest legends. On offense, it's obviously the number of Oregon's only Heisman Trophy winner, Marcus Mariota. Most recently, it was worn by quarterback Dillon Gabriel and safety Dontae Manning, seen in the picture above with McNutt, who will take the number going forward.
Manning has been a focal point of the Oregon defense over the last four years, starting his career at corner before moving to safety. Manning had an interception in this year's Big Ten Championship, setting the Ducks up with first and goal.
McNutt was an elite get for the Ducks. He was the second-ranked safety in the 2025 recruiting class, according to On3. A 5-star recruit, McNutt is part of a secondary recruiting class for Oregon that has massive potential to become multi-year starters and cornerstones of what the Ducks build in the coming years. Carrying on the tradition of the No. 8 is fitting for a player with as much upside as McNutt has.
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Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.
