One of many largest names within the 2026 recruiting cycle is off the board after Jared Curtis introduced his dedication to Georgia over Oregon on Monday. Whereas the five-star quarterback’s resolution definitely warranted all the eye it obtained — we’ll get into that quickly — there are many recruiting storylines popping up as we method the busy summer time months.
What’s subsequent for Oregon?
To contextualize how properly it’s gone for Oregon on the recruiting path over the previous few years, take into account this: One of many Geese’ largest setbacks underneath Dan Lanning occurred when five-star quarterback Dante Moore flipped to UCLA throughout the early signing interval in December 2022.
That’s the identical Moore who left the Bruins after one season and is anticipated to begin for the Geese this fall.
Oregon took Curtis’ recruitment right down to the wire. Curtis, who performs for Nashville (Tenn.) Christian Faculty, is the No. 1 quarterback and the No. 2 total participant within the 2026 class, in response to the 247Sports Composite. He was dedicated to Georgia for seven months in 2024 earlier than reopening his recruitment, which cleared the trail for the Geese to make a push that finally fell brief.
Lanning has signed top-10 courses in every of the previous three cycles, and his final two courses have completed within the high 5. He’s raised the Geese’ recruiting profile since he took over. (And sure, feedback part, we all know: NIL, NIL, NIL.)
However we’re not used to seeing Oregon take as many blows on the path as they’ve over the previous couple of months. The Geese have been on the incorrect finish of some high-profile flips to West Coast rivals — five-star offensive lineman Kodi Greene to Washington and a pair of four-star prospects, quarterback Jonas Williams and defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui, to USC. Additionally they misplaced latest battles for four-star defensive lineman Derek Colman-Brusa (Washington) and four-star large receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (Ohio State). Now, add Curtis to the combo.
When Moore flipped to UCLA in late 2022, Lanning countered with a formidable flurry to shut the early signing interval, displaying the remainder of the nation what to anticipate from him and the Geese transferring ahead.
There shouldn’t be a ton of concern about Oregon’s recruiting over the long run. The Geese’ common participant ranking for his or her seven commitments within the 2026 class sits at 92.80 (fourth nationally). It could shock nobody in the event that they ended up with five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons. However it’ll be fascinating to see how Lanning and his employees reply over the subsequent few months.
USC continues to beef up its class
The Trojans maintain the highest spot within the nationwide rankings and continued their spectacular run by touchdown a number of blue-chip commitments final week. The best-rated participant of the group was four-star nook Elbert Hill, an Ohio native who’s a top-50 prospect nationally. USC additionally landed Luc Weaver, a four-star large receiver from Southern California.
However essentially the most important pledge might need come from four-star IMG (Fla.) Academy offensive lineman Keenyi Pepe, the youthful brother of present USC defensive lineman Kobe Pepe. USC has struggled to draw elite offensive line expertise for a number of years. It’s one of many evident areas the place this system has to enhance to contend nationally.
The Trojans have a whopping 27 commitments of their 2026 class, which is 12 greater than the subsequent closest applications (Penn State and Syracuse). That’s an enormous cause why they’re sitting atop the staff rankings, however their class additionally has star energy, with eight top-100 prospects. And 15 of the 27 commitments come from the state of California, which can please USC followers after the latest in-state struggles underneath Lincoln Riley.
Ole Miss makes some noise
From a roster-building standpoint, the Rebels have turn out to be recognized extra for his or her work within the switch portal than the recruiting path underneath Lane Kiffin. However Ole Miss obtained pledges from two top-150 prospects over the previous week.
The Rebels flipped four-star linebacker Izayia Williams of Tavares (Fla.) Excessive, the nation’s No. 51 prospect, from Florida. Additionally they landed a dedication from four-star operating again Damarius Yates, a Mississippi native who ranks No. 7 within the state and No. 125 nationally. They immediately grew to become the 2 highest-rated gamers in Ole Miss’ class.
Dedicated 🦈 pic.twitter.com/nc3GQdn9yy
— Izayia williams (@izayia_williams) Could 2, 2025
Yates is a part of a very robust recruiting cycle in Mississippi, which is residence to fifteen blue-chip prospects this yr. That’s essentially the most for the reason that 2019 cycle produced 17 blue-chippers. We’ll see if Ole Miss can take benefit.
Washington retains high expertise in state
Washington employed Jedd Fisch on Jan. 14, 2024. That was a less-than-ideal begin date for a coach within the 2025 recruiting cycle. However Fisch made it work, and the Huskies completed with a top-25 recruiting class.
The ceiling for Washington’s 2026 class is probably even increased. Flipping Greene, the No. 22 total participant within the class, from Oregon was an enormous triumph.
Fisch constructed the trenches up properly at Arizona, and it’s clear he’s emphasizing that space with the Huskies. Along with flipping Greene, Washington beat out Oregon and a number of other different brand-name applications for four-star in-state defensive lineman Colman-Brusa.
Fisch can be prioritizing retaining high in-state expertise at residence. Greene performs for Mater Dei in Santa Ana, Calif., so he’s listed as a California prospect, however he’s a Washington native and his older brother, Kayden, performs security for the Huskies. Colman-Brusa is the top-rated participant in Washington (No. 161 nationally), and his brother, Lowen, signed with Washington as a part of the 2025 class.
That is Fisch’s second recruiting cycle with the Huskies, and it’s the second time he’s landed the No. 1 in-state prospect (Zaydrius Rainey-Sale in 2025 was the opposite).
Washington’s 2026 class at present ranks 18th nationally.
Vanderbilt makes a splash
It’s not too usually Vanderbilt is concerned with top-of-the-line prospects within the nation. 4-star nook Caden Harris, who performs for Haywood Excessive Faculty in Brownsville, Tenn., has confirmed to be an exception.
Harris, ranked No. 82 nationally, dedicated to the Commodores in late April over Notre Dame, Georgia and different Energy 4 applications. Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea has not signed a top-150 prospect since he took over as head coach in December 2020.
That’s not a shock. Vanderbilt is thought extra for its lecturers than its recruiting prowess. However Lea is coming off a breakthrough season with quarterback Diego Pavia and this system’s first bowl victory for the reason that 2013 season.
That on-field momentum carried over with Harris’ recruitment. If he stays within the fold, he could be Vanderbilt’s highest-rated signee in trendy recruiting historical past (courting again to 2002).
Across the nation
Ohio State: Brian Hartline is retaining the Buckeyes stocked with high-end large receiver expertise. On Sunday, Dixon-Wyatt dedicated to Ohio State over Oregon and others. Dixon-Wyatt is the No. 107 total participant within the class and is a Mater Dei teammate of fellow Buckeyes receiver commit Chris Henry Jr., a five-star prospect. Ohio State has 4 blue-chip receivers in its 2026 class.
Notre Dame: The Preventing Irish, No. 2 within the staff rankings, bolstered their class with two four-star pledges not too long ago — operating again Javian Osborne (No. 90 nationally) and linebacker Jakobe Clapper (No. 399). Notre Dame’s class consists of 14 commitments and has a mean participant ranking of 92.14, which, if it holds, could be the very best in Marcus Freeman’s time as head coach.
Georgia: A number of days earlier than Curtis’ dedication, the Bulldogs landed four-star in-state offensive lineman Graham Houston, who ranked No. 298 nationally. Georgia has eight commitments and ranks No. 17 nationally.
LSU: The Tigers went into Southern California and got here away with a dedication from four-star nook and top-100 prospect Havon Finney, who performs for Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth. Finney is one in every of six top-100 prospects in LSU’s class, which ranks No. 6 nationally.
(Picture of Dan Lanning: Soobum Im / Getty Photos)
