Oregon has been making headlines lately thanks to their additions from the transfer portal, but don’t think the staff has forgotten about the high school ranks. Dan Lanning and the Ducks signed the best recruiting class in program history this cycle and as wild as it sounds, they may not be finished landing blue-chip talent. I’m ready to make a new recruiting prediction. Today I’m predicting Oregon to land Burley (ID) wide receive Gatlin Bair. He’s the top uncommitted recruit nationally (No. 27), having just been bumped up to five-star status by the folks at 247Sports following a great showing at the Adidas All-American Bowl earlier this month.
It’s no secret that Bair is down to a final two of Oregon and Michigan with the February signing day quickly approaching next Wednesday February 7. The departure of Jim Harbaugh following Michigan’s national championship plays a role in my prediction, and I think Oregon’s stability at the top with Dan Lanning’s long-term commitment makes Eugene the likely landing spot.
I was told on Tuesday that Oregon made it a point to apply the full-court press once Bair de-committed from Boise State (December 1), and we’ve seen that continue to be the case at nearly every opportunity. Whether it’s been hosting him on campus for a visit (USC game 11) or getting out to Idaho to see him in person, they’ve done all the right things to show him he’s a priority. Junior Adams has done a tremendous job in this recruitment and his development at the position speaks for itself, with Troy Franklin set to be the next feather in his cap. But don’t discount the efforts of head coach Dan Lanning, offensive coordinator Will Stein and special teams coordinator/nickel coach Joe Lorig in this recruitment. Michigan had a plan in place for this recruitment should Harbaugh leave, which he did, but I think Oregon has put in the work on the recruiting trail and is trending up in a major way, while there’s uncertainty as to what’s next for the Wolverines.
Bair won’t play college football for two years, but a commitment to Oregon would only add to Oregon’s recruiting momentum, which is as strong as any team in the country right now. Keep a very close eye on this recruitment between now and next Wednesday.
