Each year, Dan Lanning has impressed with the recruiting classes that he’s brought to the Oregon Ducks. The 2026 class was his finest work yet, as he reeled in the No. 2 class in the country, just behind the USC Trojans. That Lanning did that while bringing in just 24 commits versus 36 for the Trojans shows just how talented the group of players that Oregon reeled in.
In a recent article, ESPN provided scouting reports on the top two players at each positon in the 2026 class. Lo and behold, three future Ducks were included as part of that, with five-star tight end Kendre Harrison kicking off the list. Harrison ranked just above four-star Georgia commit Kaiden Prothro.
“Harrison is an exceptional athlete who also ranks among SC Next’s top 100 basketball players in the 2026 class,” ESPN’s Craig Haubert and Tom Luginbill wrote. “Some of those basketball tools show up in football when he high-points the ball and boxes out defenders in contested situations. With good hands and a wide catch radius, he could take the baton at tight end and develop into Oregon’s next impactful tight end after Terrance Ferguson and Kenyon Sadiq excelled at a position that’s key to the Ducks’ passing attack.”
While that’s a significant amount of pressure to put on Harrison to be the Ducks’ next great tight end, there’s already a candidate to assume that role already on the roster in Jamari Johnson. During his true freshman season, Harrison will be able to contribute in a supporting role alongside Johnson and learn the ropes of the college game before assuming a starring role in 2027, once Johnson moves onto the NFL.
The next future Duck listed was offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho, who’s hulking frame gives hopes that he can be mauler at the college level.
“Defenders will have to log some miles to get around the massive 6-foot-6, 350-pound Iheanacho,” ESPN wrote. “Helping him maximize his mass will be key for Oregon, but he has impressive quickness and balance for his size. Iheanacho’s elite arm length and jolting punch knock rushers off their path. A two-time Under Armour All-American, Iheanacho enjoys competing and is laser focused. If he can manage his weight to accentuate his movement skills and power, there’s no doubt he can develop into one of college football’s best offensive linemen at either tackle or guard.”
The question of Iheanacho’s weight has arisen, as 350-pound offensive tackles — or guards — aren’t seen too often in college football. And with edge rushers on the defensive side of the ball trending lighter and faster, Iheanacho may not see the field early on in ways that Harrison might.
A year of shaping his body into where it needs to be could benefit Iheanacho greatly, especially with his expected NFL future down the road.
Five-star safety Jett Washington was the final Duck included on the list — with a big reason being his frame and versatility that makes him a top two safety prospect in the class.
“A long, rangy hybrid safety/linebacker, Washington is at his best playing near the box and can even rush the passer off the edge,” ESPN wrote. “For a 6-foot-5, 210-pounder, Washington can really run for his size. Although he’s agile and flexible, there’s some risk he’ll outgrow safety, but Washington is a willing tackler who flashes the ability to pack a punch. He’s a sideline-to-sideline player who fits best covering backs and tight ends.”
We saw it last year with former defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi and should see it again in 2026 with newly-hired Chris Hampton: versatile defenders being deployed all around the field.
Washington fits that exact mold, and should be fun to watch either in 2026 as a true freshman or in 2027, when he should have his footing underneath him and assume a prominent role in the Ducks’ defense.
All told, it isn’t hard to see Oregon’s freshman class repeating what the 2025 class did in contributing early and often on the field as youngsters.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: CFB analysts shine light on 3 of Oregon’s top 2026 recruits