Oregon football has once again taken center stage on the college recruiting trail, gaining serious momentum as the summer heats up. The Ducks, led by head coach Dan Lanning, have quickly begun assembling a powerhouse recruiting class for 2027, capitalizing on early evaluations and key commitments. Among the newest additions is highly touted four-star defensive lineman Cam Pritchett out of Alabaster, Alabama. Pritchett chose Oregon over top-tier programs including Tennessee and Clemson—both of which are recent College Football Playoff qualifiers.
The news of Pritchett’s commitment was first reported by Hayes Fawcett of On3, who detailed how the young defender opted against powerhouse programs like Florida State and Auburn before ultimately committing to the reigning Big Ten champions. His decision adds to Oregon’s recent surge in recruiting wins. Just one day prior, the Ducks landed another high-potential 2027 recruit, Prince Tavizon from San Diego. Tavizon made headlines himself by taking a subtle jab at rival USC during his commitment announcement.
These latest additions reflect Lanning’s strategy of aggressive early recruiting, building a strong 2027 class while continuing to attract top 2026 prospects. The Ducks are also working to recover from the recent decommitment of five-star recruit Richard Wesley, another reason this recruiting momentum is critical.
Pritchett brings a promising skill set to Oregon’s defense. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 231 pounds, he ranks as the fifth-best overall player in Alabama, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. His recruitment blew up early, drawing offers from blue-blood programs like Notre Dame and Ohio State. In-state SEC powers such as Auburn, as well as Miami and USC, also made significant pushes for his services.
However, Oregon’s fit proved to be the most compelling. Pritchett visited Eugene on the weekend of May 30, and it was during that unofficial visit that the Ducks truly began to separate themselves. According to Matt Prehm of 247Sports’ Duck Territory, Oregon’s scheme under Dan Lanning was particularly appealing. Prehm described Pritchett as the kind of versatile edge defender that Lanning covets—someone who can contribute across multiple positions on defense.
With Pritchett’s commitment, Oregon becomes one of only three Big Ten programs—alongside Ohio State and Penn State—to secure multiple recruits from the 2027 class this early in the cycle. Meanwhile, for the 2026 class, the Ducks currently rank 27th nationally, signaling there’s still more work to be done. Nonetheless, the momentum is clearly building in Eugene, and the Ducks are once again asserting themselves as a rising national force on the recruiting front.
