How are we going to finish up?

[bellsduck]

Seems like a lot of top targets are off the board.
I know Baker and Breland are still out there, but read a story yesterday that RB Jason Baker is now favoring Michigan State.
Maybe we'll get another flip at the last second, but that story could go both ways.

[StevensTechU]

If they finish with Platt, Breland and Baker, I feel like that's a hell of a way to end the cycle.

After getting two running backs in the last class, and the portal and JC players producing quality backs, I don't know that they absolutely need a second* RB in this cycle.

[OregonFan4Life]

I have hope that Rushing flips now that Oregon is headed to the B1G.

[squintsdd]

I have hope that Rushing flips now that Oregon is headed to the B1G.

Doesn't his brother play at Arizona? I don't think going to the B1G will be enough of a pull with Arizona jumping to the big 12 and his brother already being there

[OregonFan4Life]

I have hope that Rushing flips now that Oregon is headed to the B1G.

Doesn't his brother play at Arizona? I don't think going to the B1G will be enough of a pull with Arizona jumping to the big 12 and his brother already being there

Yeah his brother does play there but judging by his posture when announcing his commitment to Zona, seemed like his heart wasn’t there, with Oregon jumping to the B1G they are able to offer him something they couldn’t before, playing against the best competition, and also it could result in a heightened NIL offer from Oregon. I feel that even though he committed to Zona his heart was with Oregon, his head (and family) told him Zona, but with recent changes his head may be more likely to say Oregon also.

This is all pure speculation, I have 0 insight. I did see an article mentioning it as a possibility but besides that I’ve seen nothing suggesting any chance Rushing will flip.

[alxtw]

I have hope that Rushing flips now that Oregon is headed to the B1G.

Doesn't his brother play at Arizona? I don't think going to the B1G will be enough of a pull with Arizona jumping to the big 12 and his brother already being there

Yeah his brother does play there but judging by his posture when announcing his commitment to Zona, seemed like his heart wasn’t there, with Oregon jumping to the B1G they are able to offer him something they couldn’t before, playing against the best competition, and also it could result in a heightened NIL offer from Oregon. I feel that even though he committed to Zona his heart was with Oregon, his head (and family) told him Zona, but with recent changes his head may be more likely to say Oregon also.

This is all pure speculation, I have 0 insight. I did see an article mentioning it as a possibility but besides that I’ve seen nothing suggesting any chance Rushing will flip.

I'm hoping that Rushing flips to Oregon as well. But being that he went to a school with lesser competition over Oregon or a SEC school, I don't think the quality of competition he'll be going up against every day at practice and every Saturday has much pull with him.

He also mentioned that the prospect of lifting the local program to new heights was a determining factor. That goal will be easier to achieve in the Big12 and their road to the Playoffs is also much easier in that conference, if no changes are made to the current playoff selection method.

[GrantDuck]

Platt, Baker, Breland. *crosses fingers*

Baker would be the most disappointing to lose because we led for him for so long.

I'm also guessing there's probably a kid or 2 not even on our radars(see Daylen Austin/Peyton Bowen) last year that we might land.

[bellsduck]

Baker set a commit date.
Hope I'm wrong but reading various stories about his recruitment doesn't make me feel good about our chances.

[OregonFan4Life]

Definitely has been rough seeing all the 5 stars go elsewhere. Hoping we land Baker but it’s not looking good. It’s also weird how these guys “love Oregon” then go elsewhere, makes you wonder why.

[StevensTechU]

Missing on Baker would suck on multiple levels. I don't love our OL class outside of Fox Crader (if he bulks up well) so it would be a hit.

[OregonFan4Life]

Missing on Baker would suck on multiple levels. I don't love our OL class outside of Fox Crader (if he bulks up well) so it would be a hit.

That’s how I felt about Rushing, we need a pass rush going forward and he’s an elite pass rusher. Losing him to Zona was brutal.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Meh regarding Baker. OL recruting is weird, most of the time it’s just as effective to get low ranked guys that you can develop. We’ve been using that strategy for years and rarely have weak lines. Throw in a blue chip here and there and you’re golden.

[SuperDuck]

Meh regarding Baker. OL recruting is weird, most of the time it’s just as effective to get low ranked guys that you can develop. We’ve been using that strategy for years and rarely have weak lines. Throw in a blue chip here and there and you’re golden.

Agreed. We do lose 2 starters on the OL after this season, but we have several young players in waiting.

There's also the transfer portal, if needed.

[bellsduck]

Great teams are built in the trenches.
Always have been.
Maybe the collective needs to change the strategy.

[StevensTechU]

Yea, gonna disagree with the folks who say it doesn't matter and that OL are more inaccurately scouted than other positions. I've seen no data to support that idea. Like any position, you can win a lot of games with a middle tier offensive line, but you simply won't win it all when you have SEC defensive lines busting through. You need future NFL dudes.