Five-star playmaker gives Dan Lanning the feedback he desperately needed to hear after rough recruiting patch
Suffering losses on the recruiting trail is an inevitable destiny for every college football head coach. Some sting more than others, but the best program can't go perfectly with their offer-to-commit ratio. However, some rough patches can cause some concern as to whether there's a trend or a bigger issue at hand. Oregon was red […]
Suffering losses on the recruiting trail is an inevitable destiny for every college football head coach. Some sting more than others, but the best program can't go perfectly with their offer-to-commit ratio. However, some rough patches can cause some concern as to whether there's a trend or a bigger issue at hand.
Oregon was red hot last year in the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail. Their NIL advantage with Nike lining the wallets of anyone who would listen was a real factor. Other programs caught up, and the money is generally close enough to make relationships and location a bigger part of the equation for prospects.
Losing Jared Curtis, Jackson Cantwell, Havon Finney Jr., and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has caused a bit of a drought for Dan Lanning's Ducks. Each had their own reason to pick Georgia, Miami, LSU, and Ohio State. At the end of the day, the Ducks are the least-proven program in the most obscure location of those spots.
It might've been that simple, and Lanning is hoping it is. Thankfully, Lanning heard a reinforcing message from five-star commit Kendre Harrison after his recent visit last weekend.
Harrison discussed his recruitment with 247Sports, highlighting how the Ducks continue to engage with him even though he is already committed to the program. He specifically mentioned tight ends coach Drew Mehringer during his visit as someone who stood out to him.
"Unbelievable. Even though I am committed, the staff still recruits me hard as if I am not. Everything is amazing. Like everybody, everyone on the staff was with me and my family. My mom, she just had the biggest smile on her face. She's my biggest supporter, and while we were down there, she just feels like I am safe around the staff. That's what really stands out. Coach Drew Mehringer is my main man and my dog.
You see a bunch of kids and they commit a bunch of times, or they commit to a school and take visits. I feel like when you say that you're committed, you got to say that and then after that back it up. I feel like I've made that commitment and since I decided to make it early, I was really strong on my decision."
The nation's second-ranked tight end and top-20 player overall, Harrison has been locked in with Oregon since November. That's the type of person and player Oregon must continue to prioritize recruiting so they can keep a deep roster and pipeline of talent.
