The 2012 recruiting cycle has officially entered its final stage. With six days until the first day of the national signing period, known casually as national signing day, Oregon’s football program is closing in on inking yet another highly rated class.
Although the Ducks did suffer one defection when four-star defensive end Jeremy Castro switched his commitment from Oregon to UCLA, it appears Chip Kelly’s brief flirtation with the NFL hasn’t significantly harmed the Ducks recruiting efforts. (Castro committed to the Bruins before the Kelly fiasco.) The Ducks’ 18-person recruiting class is currently ranked 19th in the nation by Rivals.com, with several top uncommitted prospects remaining on Oregon’s recruiting board. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Jeremy-Castro-120298@@ @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/commitments/2012/oregon-60@@ @@http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/@@
Here’s a look at some of the prominent undecided targets still considering the Ducks.
Shaq Thompson, S — A five-star safety from Sacramento, Calif., Thompson was considered a near-lock to Cal until assistant coaches Tosh Lupoi and Eric Kiesau left for Washington. Now, the Ducks are thought to be in his top three along with the Bears and Huskies. Thompson took an official visit to Oregon in mid-October. He has no timetable for making a final decision. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Shaq-Thompson-113768;_ylt=AgJHr7YPyyYPeo4VBx_b3cpIPZB4@@ @@http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/ncaa/01/18/eric-kiesau-washington.ap/index.html@@
Arik Armstead, DL — Armstead’s recruitment has taken plenty of twists and turns over the past few months. A longtime commit to USC, Armstead decommitted from the Trojans in October and has been tied to several schools in recent months, most recently Cal before Lupoi’s departure. There’s no timetable for Armstead’s decision. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Arik-Armstead-99535;_ylt=AmaloejVMBmCcmCw0QpW9bxIPZB4@@
Bryan Harper, ATH — A three-star athlete from Ontario, Calif., Harper was offered @@approached?@@by the Ducks earlier this month, and will take an official visit to Eugene this weekend. Harper claims a top four of UCLA, Arizona and Washington, along with Oregon, and plans to announce his choice at the ESPN Zone in Los Angeles the night before signing day. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Bryan-Harper-108468;_ylt=AnHZjZbUVFjSQq6_4Opg3b5IPZB4@@
Cedrick Poutasi, OL — Poutasi verbally committed to Utah last month, but that didn’t stop him from taking an official visit to Oregon last weekend. Poutasi has maintained his commitment to the Utes since returning home from Eugene, but a commitment switch isn’t out of the question for the four-star recruit. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Cedrick-Poutasi-119531;_ylt=AlLe5Y9.DEJQuVmsM.ybsqVIPZB4@@
Chance Allen, WR — Despite making a verbal commitment to Oklahoma State on Sunday, Allen will take an official visit to Oregon this weekend. A three-star recruit, Allen has reported offers from Arkansas, Mississippi State, Iowa State and Minnesota, in addition to Oregon and Oklahoma State, but is reportedly considering only the Ducks and Cowboys. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Chance-Allen-94433;_ylt=AhUNqTDz7hChTwzteJSsN7pIPZB4@@
Bralon Addison, WR — The four-star teammate of Allen, Addison is also committed elsewhere (Texas A&M), but will be taking an official visit to Eugene this weekend. Addison previously look official trips to Arkansas and Texas A&M. Prior to committing to Texas A&M, Addison was verbally committed to Oklahoma State. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Bralon-Addison-81314;_ylt=Asfn1v5YqEzR6c1QuqqthlNIPZB4@@
Shane Brostek, OL — Brostek, a two-star lineman from Hawaii, might be the most mysterious recruit in the entire 2012 class. He rarely, if ever, does interviews, and has never publicly revealed his top schools. Nonetheless, it’s thought that Oregon and Washington, along with Colorado, are among the top choices for the recruit. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Shane-Brostek-128819;_ylt=Au2uzPoAnuJnMAsJEPS3kMpIPZB4@@
Thomas Johnson, WR — A high four-star playmaker from Dallas, Johnson decommitted from Texas in early January,  and is now considering Oregon, Cal and Texas A&M, among others. Johnson took an official visit to Eugene in mid-January, and will visit Cal this weekend. Johnson is scheduled to announce his commitment on ESPNU on signing day. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Thomas-Johnson-110750;_ylt=AtrWu5pHjtDXcZgnxySofk5IPZB4@@
On Wednesday, five-star offensive tackle Kyle Murphy, the highest-rated offensive lineman remaining on Oregon’s recruiting board, officially eliminated the Ducks from consideration. Murphy will sign with either USC or Stanford on signing day. @@http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Kyle-Murphy-115809;_ylt=AphgvtkmL.wyoobR7EzvKaJIPZB4@@