For the second time in two years Oregon appears poised to sign a top recruit that was once committed to USC. After stealing De’Anthony Thomas from the Trojans late in the 2011 recruiting cycle, the Ducks earned a verbal commitment from versatile lineman Arik Armstead on Sunday, who will likely sign with Oregon Wednesday in the first day of the national signing period. @@http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/97129/deanthony-thomas@@
Armstead decommitted from USC in October and considered offers from Cal, USC, Washington, Auburn, and many others before selecting the Ducks over the weekend during a press conference in his hometown. Armstead, who is also expected to play basketball for the Ducks, is ranked among the top five players in the nation by two prominent recruiting services and is easily the highest-ranked player currently committed to the Ducks. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/usc/football/recruiting/player-Arik-Armstead-99535@@
But if Chip Kelly and the rest of the Oregon’s recruiters have it their way, Armstead may not be the headliner of Oregon’s class for long. California safety Shaq Thompson, the No. 4 prospect in the country according to Rivals.com, also lists Oregon as a finalist along with Cal and Washington. Thompson is expected to announce his decision on signing day, and could provide yet another massive boost to a recruiting class currently ranked No. 17 in the nation by Rivals.com. He did take an unofficial visit to Washington over the weekend, which might not bode well for the Ducks’ chances, but Thompson is reportedly friends with Armstead and has reached out to LaMichael James over Twitter. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/usc/football/recruiting/player-Shaq-Thompson-113768;_ylt=AhPVacql4SO3RRK65fpusMzwOrF_@@ @@http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/@@
Although Thompson might be the highest-profile recruit left on Oregon’s board, he’s certainly not the only uncommitted target the Ducks hope to sign. There are a number of uncommitted prospects still considering the Ducks who plan to announce their decisions on or close to signing day. Here’s a look at the remaining prospects left on Oregon’s board.
Thomas Johnson, WR — The four-star Texas receiver took an official visit to TCU over the weekend and is considering the Horned Frogs, along with the Ducks and Texas A&M. Johnson has visited each of his finalists officially but hasn’t indicated a favorite. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Thomas-Johnson-110750;_ylt=An9FT0SfCQflHSXDhXW9FEZIPZB4@@ @@http://gofrogs.cstv.com/@@
Bralon Addison, WR — A highly touted Texas A&M commit, Addison visited Oregon officially with his teammate Chance Allen over the weekend, but hasn’t granted any interviews since his trip. Addison will likely choose between the Aggies and Ducks on signing day. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Bralon-Addison-81314;_ylt=Av_3n4VUvpunEjr7Chd_hP5IPZB4@@ @@http://www.aggieathletics.com/@@
Chance Allen, WR — Allen is currently committed to Oklahoma State, but visited Eugene with Addison over the weekend and reportedly has high interest in the Ducks. Like Addison, Allen also lists Oregon as one of his finalists. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Chance-Allen-94433;_ylt=AgUE0Hl57imlXwnudii6CwJIPZB4@@
Shane Brostek, OL — Although it’s unclear whether Brostek actually has an Oregon offer (his media interaction has been limited), Oregon and Washington are two schools most often mentioned in conjunction with the talented lineman. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Shane-Brostek-128819;_ylt=AvR_8qCSztor.JaGxeWR_YJIPZB4@@
Bryan Harper, ATH — Harper was visited by Chip Kelly last week and is expected to announce his commitment sometime Tuesday. Harper has reportedly narrowed his list to UCLA, Arizona and Oregon, and the Ducks appear to have a great shot at landing the versatile athlete. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Bryan-Harper-108468;_ylt=AvTGWDyHpQwiTz8Ac2T7gyNIPZB4@@
Conversely, other recruits with Oregon offers have recently chosen other schools or are considering doing so. Offensive lineman Joshua Garnett committed to Stanford on Thursday, Zach Banner committed to USC Monday, and offensive lineman Cedrick Poutasi will reportedly stick with his commitment to Utah. Longtime Oregon linebacker commit Bryce Cottrell recently received an offer from Texas and switched his commitment to the Longhorns Monday. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Joshua-Garnett-112588;_ylt=Aksows.EP04hZagEJa_Ml3xIPZB4@@ @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Zach-Banner-98654;_ylt=Au_kxutmMAW0o8BrE7jvJBdIPZB4@@ @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Cedrick-Poutasi-119531;_ylt=ArXQToHyBkMkz.X0jMgP_1VIPZB4@@ @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Bryce-Cottrell-115056;_ylt=AihouraqR1sbg6qQ5kadY6hIPZB4@@
*Note — Early Monday evening, the Ducks received a commitment from junior college special teams ace Dylan Ausherman. A kickoff specialist and punter from the College of the Sequoias in California, Ausherman visited Oregon over the weekend and has three years to complete two seasons of college eligibility. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Dylan-Ausherman-135507;_ylt=AmES3rHRjtTs_SPJipaxuShIPZB4@@
Oregon’s 2012 recruiting class currently has 19 commits. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/oregon/football/recruiting/commitments/2012/oregon-60@@