The Oregon Ducks are loading up for their move to the Big Ten. Head coach Dan Lanning has been able to land many top-tier recruits after announcing he was staying in Eugene. He landed another huge recruit in the 2024 class when wide receiver Gatlin Bair announced his commitment to the program.
Oregon Ducks Land WR Gatlin Bair
🚨BREAKING🚨 5-star WR Gatlin Bair has committed to Oregon🦆
He ranks No. 30 NATL. (No. 7 WR) in the On3 Industry Ranking‼️
More from @ChadSimmons_: https://t.co/MLMd3vHUQa pic.twitter.com/ni5ILeXK5o
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) February 3, 2024
Bair was committed to Boise State before Oregon and Michigan started heavily recruiting him. Michigan’s strength and conditioning coach, Ben Herbert, followed Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, and that decision seemed to push Bair toward Oregon. The wide receiver wanted stability, something he talked about to On3.
“The stars started to align with Oregon after coach Lanning didn’t take the Texas A&M job. That’s when the tide started to shift in my mind a little bit, along with (former Boise State head) coach (Andy) Avalos getting fired. One of my priorities is stability. Then, coach Lanning didn’t take the Alabama job and that’s when I was like, ‘Alright, he’s really not going anywhere…’ For my time there, he’s going to be at Oregon. Anything can happen, but I think he’s one of the most stable coaches in college football. He doesn’t want to be anywhere else. He’s really got my trust from that standpoint.”
Lanning seems committed to Oregon. He turned down huge jobs this offseason, so it seems unlikely there would be a job he would want at this point.
National Championship In 2024?
There are very few teams who have had better offseasons than Oregon. Dillon Gabriel chose the Ducks, as well as Dante Moore. They loaded up on speed and talent at many key positions. While a move to the Big Ten is going to make the schedule tougher, the Big Ten is going through some changes. Michigan will look different next year. USC will be without Caleb Williams. Ohio State has loaded up on talent, but Ryan Day hasn’t always been able to maximize it. Oregon could be on the fast track to a conference championship and a CFP appearance.
The Oregon Ducks will be tough to defend in 2024. If they keep acquiring this type of talent, they are going to be hard to beat in 2024.