A month after returning to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 15 seasons, the Oregon football program announced the signing of its 2010 recruiting class, a group that seems likely to keep Oregon at the top of the Pac-10 standings for years to come.
Ranked as the 13th-best recruiting class in the nation by Rivals.com and Scout.com, the 2010 Oregon football class is widely considered to be one of the best in recent memory for its combination of high-end talent, depth and speed.
The most highly recruited player to ink with the Ducks this cycle is five-star Texas running back Lache Seastrunk. Seastrunk has drawn comparisons to Reggie Bush and Jahvid Best for his elusive and shifty running style and is ranked as the 20th best player in the nation by Scout.com.
Eugene’s own Curtis White joins Seastrunk as the second of two Scout.com five-star prospects that signed with the Ducks. A Sheldon High School graduate, White decided on Oregon in his sophomore year and projects well at either the tight end or defensive end position.
“As either a tight end or a defensive end, White will make an impact for the Ducks,” Scout.com West Recruiting Manager Brandon Huffman said. “He runs great routes, has very good hands and solid speed, as a tight end. Defensively, he’s all upside. Quick off the ball, and long, he does a good job of harassing the quarterback.”
Considering Oregon’s pressing need for interior defensive lineman, Ricky Heimuli might be the most important recruit of the 2010 class. A 6-foot-4-inch, 290-pound four-star defensive tackle considered by many to be one of the top two at his position on the West Coast, Heimuli made a dramatic signing day announcement.
“Heimuli is huge for Oregon,” Huffman said. “He’s one of the best defensive tackles in the West and one of the most college-ready tackles in the country.”
But of course, the Ducks 2010 class wouldn’t be complete without a true dual-threat quarterback. California signal caller Bryan Bennett made a verbal commitment to Oregon over the summer and has been a fast riser in many of the latest recruiting rankings. Scout.com rates Bennett as the 10th best quarterback in the nation for the class of 2010, and with good reason.
“If there was one quarterback in the West that was the perfect fit for the Ducks’ offense, it’s Bennett,” Huffman said. “He’s got a strong arm, quick fit and great athleticism.”
Still, the 2010 class’ unquestioned strength is in the secondary. Oregon signed seven players listed as either cornerbacks or safeties.
That group is led by a pair of four-star recruits in Michigan cornerback Dior Mathis and California safety Erick Dargan, but also includes less heralded athletes Oregon likes such as safety Isaac Dixon, cornerback Troy Hill, safety James Scales, safety Derrick Malone (also a strong prospect at linebacker) and cornerback Terrance Mitchell.
That said, the Ducks did miss out on some important recruiting targets this year, particularly along the defensive line. Five-star defensive end Dominique Easley actually told reporters that he was coming to Oregon before getting a last-minute offer from Florida and signing with the Gators instead.
South Eugene High School four-star defensive end Gabe King and David Douglas High School (Portland) five-star defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa both seemed likely to commit to Oregon, but ended up at Cal and UCLA, respectively.
Still, Oregon did manage to reel in a few nice defensive line prospects aside from the impressive Heimuli, including 6-foot-4-inch, 230-pound California defensive end Tony Washington, a prospect who could end up surprising many recruiting observers.
“My class sleeper is Tony Washington,” Huffman said. “I think he’ll emerge as a nice pass rusher. A little slight, he’s similar, build-wise, to Kenny Rowe.”
Another player to keep an eye on is Arizona offensive lineman Nick Rowland.
“The top player in Arizona, Rowland is the premier offensive linemen in the West,” Huffman said. “Rowland has a nasty streak that is evident throughout the game but is also technically sound and has tremendous strength.”
The 2010 recruiting class was rounded out by highly touted running back Dontae Williams, four-star athlete Josh Huff, Florida star Eric Dungy (son of former NFL coach Tony Dungy), offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu, long snapper Andrew Howell, kicker Alejandro Maldonado, and a trio of junior college transfers who are already enrolled in classes: tight end Brandon Williams, defensive lineman Isaac Remington, and offensive lineman Ryan Clanton.
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