university of oregon ducks football

In a world of transfer-mania, there’s still a lot to be said about College Football teams being able to recruit blue-chippers across the country.

Geographically speaking, the Ducks shouldn’t even be in the mix for elite recruiting classes. And yet, there they are.

247 has Oregon fifth in the nation for 2025 recruiting classes, trailing only Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas.

Pretty elite company.

Oregon finished #3 in 2024, and #9 in 2023, the first time ever the program had three consecutive 247 Top 10 classes.

The institution of the NIL certainly hasn’t hurt anything for Swoosh University, nor has the world-class facilities erected over the past 20 years.

Geographically, the Ducks are still, and probably always will be, at a disadvantage.

Although a beautiful area, a little college town tucked away in the Emerald Valley isn’t exactly the biggest stage, especially with many Universities residing in cities that are borderline metropolitan.

Another disadvantage is being on the West Coast and not being in Southern California. Recruits love the idea of the beaches, palm trees, and bright lights of LA. Can they appreciate a little beatnik city famous more for Track and Field than anything else the same way?

Probably not, unless they can be assured success.

That’s where Oregon lags behind the blue bloods of College Football.

There aren’t a slew of National Title trophies on their shelf, nor are there a bundle of Heisman winners and NFL greats.

The Ducks are getting better on those fronts, but a program who’s biggest accomplishments all happened in the last 15 years or so can’t lean on something so rock solid like the Michigans, Oklahomas, or Notre Dames of the world can.

Even if Oregon finally does corral a National Championship (which I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they did during the Lanning Era), it could probably be written off as a “lucky run” or “one trick pony”.

But it just takes time.

All things considered, Oregon’s recruiting is truly elite. It’s just the longevity and history that currently holds them back.

Cutting edge facilities, loads of NIL money and plenty of National exposure?

Check.

National titles, multiple Heisman winners and a list of NFL stars?

Working on it.