One of the areas of concentration for Oregon’s recruiting class of 2017 is offensive line. One of the reasons is seven graduating from the unit over the next two years. The Ducks also like to sign a few OL every year regardless.

So far they have no commits on the offensive line to this year’s class although they have over a dozen offers out to them. Last month they reached into Michigan to rising senior Phillip Paea. Duck Sports Authority caught up with him to talk about it.

“I hadn’t really heard much from Oregon until I sat down with my coach and he asked me for my top five schools I would like him to contact,” began Paea. “From there he contacted a recruiter and they responded that they really liked my film and that they would add me to their recruiting list and hopefully visit me in the spring.

“After that I didn’t really hear anything until I went up to Michigan State a week ago. I talked to Brady Hoke the defensive coordinator and he asked some questions about me getting to know me and my family. He told me not to enjoy Michigan State too much.

“So when I got back home I had a really big interest in Oregon and so that night I gave Coach Hoke a call and they gave me an offer.”

Having never been to the State the Ducks have some ground to make up versus more local schools. But their chance to shine will come soon.

“I haven’t seen any of their facilities or any of that,” said Paea. “So I plan to make a visit out there in April or May with my family just to see how the environment is out there. As of right now though they are definitely top five.”

Along with who else?

“Also Michigan and Central Michigan.”

Keeping with one of Oregon’s recurring recruiting themes, the 6-foot-4, 277-pound athlete is quite versatile.

“The Ducks say they like my strength and speed,” said Paea. “I asked what positon they like me as and they said as of right now I could play either side of the ball. So it’s really up in the air on that right now. I’m actually a DE at my high school but I can pack on weight and move inside.”

Playing outside the Midwest and perhaps the West Coast in particular, might not be a difficult transition for the three-star prospect.

“I am young so I’m still trying to figure out what is best for my college future,” said Paea. “So I’ll talk to my family. I have a lot of my family is on the west coast in LA and San Francisco area. I feel like if I play out there I will have a lot of family around to follow me.

“I definitely want to come out to visit Oregon to ask about their academics and how things are down there.”