Braylon Hodge is a Rivals 4-Star, and the No. 9 ranked linebacker in the US. He is ranked the No. 1 player in Colorado, and was offered by Texas, Michigan, Iowa, and Missouri.

This moves Oregon up to No. 3 in the nation for the 2026 class.

Note we have the fewest commits in the top-9, and the best average.

Loving the quality over quantity approach. USC 34 commits? Sheesh.

As we have seen, this is like getting pinned and/or engaged to be engaged.

Although the Ducks seem to be able to keep more promisees than others.

"Previously committed to Michigan State."

Still stealing Johnathan Smith's lunch.

32 minutes ago, The Kamikaze Kid said:

Loving the quality over quantity approach. USC 34 commits? Sheesh.

Put all 34 on the D-side of the ball in South Bend, and the Domers would still rush for 500+ yards.

I still don't want to see USC anywhere near the top. As fun as it is to make poke at them, they are a sleeping giant.

Given the inexact science of recruiting, taking in that many will likely yield fruit. That's a lot of 4-stars, an it appears Georgia is taking the same approach.

Love seeing Oregon in the Top 5. Always a great place to be.

No worries, USC has so much room because of all the portal transfers out last year. I have all the confidence in a new wave leaving in a few months!

2 hours ago, The Kamikaze Kid said:

Loving the quality over quantity approach. USC 34 commits? Sheesh.

It's called desperation.

From an On3 analyst about Braylon Hodge...

"Braylon Hodge was a big upwards mover in our September Rivals300 update. After going through his early senior film, it's easy to see why Oregon and other programs made him a priority this fall. Hodge plays fast and shows the speed to run sideline to sideline. He triggers quickly and looks to have quality instincts.

He's a physical striker and brings some pop at the point of attack, which is obviously key for LB prospects. Looks pretty comfortable playing in space. Overall, it's easy to see him as a good fit in Dan Lanning's defense. Added bonus that he's from the West region and ranks as Rivals' top LB out West."

1 hour ago, WTD25 said:

Given the inexact science of recruiting, taking in that many will likely yield fruit. That's a lot of 4-stars, an it appears Georgia is taking the same approach.

I think its less about four stars and more about the numbers of "developmental" mid to lower three stars filling these bigger classes.

#603 Logan Bathke

#571 Jacob Capra

#1538 Sam Poutasi

#941 Cody Shear

#822 Christopher Randazzo

#903 Justin Johnson

#611 Loga Sagapolu

#529 Jaylan Jeffers

#801 Faaope Laloulu

#714 Marcus Harper

#804 Jaylen Smith

#600 Michael Wooten

#524 Jonah Miller

#818 Kawika Rogers

#1000 Bruce Boulton

#796 Lipe Moala

#954 Trent Ferguson

#503 Demetri Manning

Here is a list of the mid to lower three stars brought in on the OL this last decade (#500 or lower nationally). Harper turned out to be ok and Ferguson and Manning still may turn out to be playable; but, this isn't exactly a strong list supporting investing a lot in "developmental" guys.

Save the years of resources to hopefully have a hit on a lower rated guy and instead get an experienced fully developed guy for a year (or two).

No one listed performed at the level of Pregnon. Harkey moved to RG for a number of snaps against Rutgers and I think the spot on the OL that has been graded as most problematic this year looked much more solid. I think DL already is ahead of the curve on how it is dividing up its resources. There will obviously still be a fewer lower ranked guys the staff likes; but, by and large, I think using the portal will be viewed as both less risky and and more "resource efficient" as long as most of the current rules remain in place.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by AnotherOD

Decided to further add:

Leaving out JCs, OL recruits inside the top 500 over the same period:

Alex Forsyth #461

Penei Sewell #53

Steven Jones #246

Dawson Jaramillo #252

Jonah Tuaunu'u #69

Jonathan Denis #303

Kingsly Suamataia #32

Bram Walden #66

JPJ #183

Josh Conerly #8

David Luli #191

Gernorris Wilson #388

Iapani Laloulu #347

Shaq McRoy #95

Fox Crader #247

Devin Brooks #443

Ziyare Addison #102

Zac Stascausky #154

Douglas Utu #161

Leaving out TF and DM from the first group and FC, DB, ZA, ZS, and DU from the second group (too soon to tell), roughly the "pan out" rate of each group is:

Inside the top 500: 9/14 = 64%

Outside top 500: 1/16 = 6%