Ducks land epic four-prospect haul on Saturday night
It may have only been the end of April with the season five months away, but Saturday was still an epic day for Oregon football nonetheless. It started with their annual spring game, a spectacular affair played in front of over 36,000 fans under gorgeous skies.
Also in town for the weekend were more than 40 prospects all being hosted on an unofficial basis by the program. All-in-all a stellar day for new Head Coach Willie Taggart and his staff.
And then it got really good.
At 5:24 pm Lake Oswego star Dawson Jaramillo announced he would be a Duck. The Rivals250 player had been leaning to the Pac-12 north rivals Huskies, so to Duck fans, this was an especially sweet commitment.
"I have had the privilege and honor to travel all over the country and visit incredible universities to meet some amazing coaches. However, Oregon is my home. I've grown up a fan and dreamt about the opportunity to play there. That is why with a lot of prayer and consulting from my family and friends, I have decided to play football for the University of Oregon. I believe they have the heart and the juice to turn things around and I am very excited to be a part of it. We are going to put Oregon back on the map." - Dawson Jaramillo
At 6:45 pm more news came into the Hatfield-Dowling complex with another Rivals250 score for the Ducks. Four-star OLB Adrian Jackson became the next member of their Class of 2018.
"After this amazing journey I have to thank God for all the offers and opportunities I've received. It was a hard decision but I have decided I will be playing college football at the University of Oregon." - Adrian Jackson
27 minutes later, at 7:12 pm, it was Spencer Webb's turn. The highly recruited Sacramento tight end was an extremely important pickup for the Ducks because of their need for the position, and Webb is one of the best in the country.
"As long as I can remember my dream was to play college football. Out of all the great colleges in the country, my heart always pulled towards one. THE University of Oregon. A couple nights ago I asked a special person in my lifer for guidance. My grandfather who has passed on. I asked him what I should do and he said follow your heart. At that moment, my heart was set on the Ducks." - Spencer Webb
That did not end the big day for Oregon. At 8:10 pm the Ducks got their final piece of the night's puzzle by flipping one of the top cornerback prospects in the nation from Florida State to Oregon.
"In life you take chances. I love these coaches like no other. At this time I will flip my commitment and proudly say I am a Duck." - Isaiah Bolden
With that the epic night wrapped up for Willie Taggart and the new Oregon staff. After closing strong in 2017 with a top 20 recruiting class, the 2018 class went from one commitment to five in a single night. Three Rivals250 honorees plus one of the west coast's top tight end prospects.
And for the Duck fan base, memories of the dismal 4-8 2016 campaign faded into the distant past.
UPDATE: 12:10 pm Sunday
The weekend continues to be one of epic proportions for the Oregon football program. After their four-player haul on Saturday, another visitor made his decision today.
Elliott becomes the second RB committing to Oregon's class of 2018 along with Norco (Calif.) standout Travis Dye. Elliott is capable of playing slot or running back equally well at the D-1 level.
"I want to thank everyone who supported me through my Journey! Proud to say that I've committed to The University Of Oregon." - Jamal Elliott