Dan Lanning has already added a star pass catcher to the Ducks' 2026 recruiting class that nobody is talking about
If you're wondering about former 5-star wide receiver recruit Gatlin Blair, you're not alone. The elite pass catcher was the sixth-ranked receiver in the 2024 receiving class, but will be away from the program for two years to serve his mission trip. It's the epitome of "out of sight, out of mind," but as Oregon's spring […]
If you're wondering about former 5-star wide receiver recruit Gatlin Blair, you're not alone. The elite pass catcher was the sixth-ranked receiver in the 2024 receiving class, but will be away from the program for two years to serve his mission trip.
It's the epitome of "out of sight, out of mind," but as Oregon's spring practices begin to ramp up, don't be surprised to hear his name making the rounds. Blair, an elite track athlete and basketball player as well, is expected to rejoin the program ahead of the 2026 season, which will essentially act as a bonus 5-star when looking at Dan Lanning's 2026 recruiting class.
Here's how his scouting report reads on 24/7 Sports:
Explosive multi-sport star with three-phase playmaking experience who projects as a dynamic receiver. Lean, athletic build with an enormous catch radius given 6-1+ height and elite length (34-inch arm). High-flying basketball context. Owner of rare track and field athleticism for a football prospect with a 10.15 100 and 20.47 200 (also long jumps). Acceleration and top-end speed show on the field. Mixes speed-changing nuance and route-leverage awareness with that volatile explosiveness. Shows impressive ball-tracking ability and adjustment acumen with mid-air body control and spatial awareness. Creative run-after-catch athlete who can stack cuts across the field or spin off tacklers. Faces significant jump in competition coming from lower-level high school football. However, performed well during All-American Bowl week, an event that often puts small-school athletes in a "deer in the headlights" situation. Not the case here. Will need to get stronger to beat press and calibrate athleticism to other elite athletes on a consistent basis, but projects as a high-major impact player with long-term NFL Draft early-round potential.
There is a ton to be excited about. Blair has insanely long arms and a massive catch radius at over 6-foot-1, track background that translates to the field, and plenty of ability as a route runner.
He'll still be away from the Ducks for another year, but when he arrives at Oregon, he'll be joining Dakorien Moore and elite 2026 tight end recruit Kendre Harrison, amongst others, filling out a very deep and athletic group of offensive weapons for Dan Lanning's squad.
One of Oregon’s top recruiting targets has narrowed down his list of potential schools, and the Ducks made the cut
Oregon is getting closer to landing one of their top targets.
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.
