Oregon’s Top Defensive Recruits Ranked (#1-25) All Classes
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This list incorporates the state’s top recruits from all classes and classifications. Typically if you are ranked here you are considered a D1 athlete. This list can be tough to put together as you have to project out with…
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This list incorporates the state’s top recruits from all classes and classifications. Typically if you are ranked here you are considered a D1 athlete. This list can be tough to put together as you have to project out with some of the younger guys who have yet to be offered. Referenced below is how I would have individuals listed as of right now based on collegiate projection.
*Athletes will only be listed on one side of the football
Oregon’s Top Defensive Recruits (Ranked #1-25) All Classes & Classifications
Defense
1. Kaden Ludwick Kaden Ludwick 6'5" | 245 lbs | DL Clackamas | 2022 State OR 6-5 245 DE 22’ Clackamas (COMMITTED: Colorado)– I would bet on Ludwick being one of the best DE/OLB’s in the PAC 12 before he is done. He had an outstanding senior season earning Mt Hood Conference Defensive POY honors.
2.Tristan Davis 6-7 235 DE 23’ Wilsonville (OFFERS: Colorado)– Davis came out of no where and looks great on film, possessing outstanding length and overall athleticism. He accounted for 9 sacks and 39 total tackles. The only question mark comes with the lack of competition at the 5A level.
3. Trejon Williams Trejon Williams 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Jefferson | 2022 State OR 6-0 190 DB 22’Jefferson (COMMITTED: Oregon)– We will find out quickly where the 4* Adidas All American stands collegiately as he will be competing with some of the nation’s best in the Ducks secondary.
4. Chip Allers Chip Allers 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Summit | 2023 State OR 6-3 215 23’ OLB Summit- Probably the fastest rising defensive player in the state. He should be in the 6A POY conversation leading the state’s stingiest defense. Testing is where he separates himself which will help his recruitment substantially.
5. Demarcus Houston Demarcus Houston 6'2" | 185 lbs | ATH West Albany | 2023 State OR 6-2 185 CB 23’ West Albany (OFFERS: Oregon St)– Houston got that early offer from OSU and has excelled on the 7v7 circuit as part of FSP. This will be a telling off season if he is going to blow up regionally/nationally.
6. Mark Hamper Mark Hamper 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2023 State OR 6-2 200 ATH 23’ West Linn- The PRZ Underclassmen of the Year separates himself with his instincts. Hamper should be considered a leading candidate for 6A POY honors on both sides of the football next season.
7. Richie Anderson Richie Anderson 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Tualatin | 2023 State OR 6-4 225 DE 23’ Tualatin- I think Anderson is as talented as any DE state wide, including Tristan Davis. Look for him to land a few D1 offers before next season.
8. Liam Cassidy Liam Cassidy 6'5" | 300 lbs | DL Jesuit | 2024 State OR 6-5 295 DL/T 24’ Jesuit- From a recruiting standpoint there is still a lot yet to be determined, but Cassidy’s 1st team All Metro honors on D as a Sophomore speak to his potential. He could end up on either side of the ball.
9. Drew Rodriguez Drew Rodriguez 6'2" | 200 lbs | DB Sprague | 2023 State OR 6-2 190 S 23’ Sprague- Rodriguez had an incredibly impressive junior campaign being named the PRZ Underclassmen POY defensively. There is very little he didn’t do including returning multiple INTs and kickoffs/punts for TDs.
10. Brady Kopetz Brady Kopetz 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Lincoln | 2022 State OR 6-4 220 LB 22’ Lincoln (OFFERS: N. Arizona, Idaho St, E. Washington, PSU, N. Colorado)– Kopetz has a handful of legit offers from good Big Sky schools. He could play early given the right scenario.
11. Kellen Hale Kellen Hale 6'5" | 205 lbs | LB Tualatin | 2022 State OR 6-5 210 LB 22’ Tualatin (OFFERS: Air Force) – I would consider Hale as good as any LB in Oregon for the 2022 class. He is one of of the more underrated players in the state in my opinion as I think he will only get better in college.
12. Campbell Sager Campbell Sager 6'5" | 245 lbs | DL Westview | 2023 State OR 6-5 245 DE 23’ Westview- Sager could climb this list quick with a big off season, and a good senior year. He comes hard and fluid off the edge, and at 6-5 he has the necessary size to play a high level of collegiate ball.
13. Wiley Donnerberg Wiley Donnerberg 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2024 State OR 6-3 200 ATH 24’ West Linn- Donnerberg did well offensively earning 2nd team all conference honors, but his play on D is what could make him one of the most sought after recruits state wide.
14.Timmy Mitchell Jr. 5-10 170 CB 24’ Central Catholic- Mitchell has excelled when in the spotlight, whether it’s the Les Schwab Bowl as a freshman or the state title game as a Sophomore. He is a top 2024 in Oregon.
15. Dylan Layne Dylan Layne 6'2" | 200 lbs | DB Lake Oswego | 2022 State OR 6-2 205 SS 22’ Lake Oswego (OFFERS: E. Washington, PSU)- Layne is physically gifted and one of the most intelligent DBs to come out of Oregon in the last 1/2 decade. He will be one of the best in the Big Sky if he choses that route.
16. Jake Reichle Jake Reichle 6'3" | 185 lbs | DB Lakeridge | 2022 State OR 6-3 215 WLB/SS 22’ Lakeridge (OFFERS: Air Force, Valparaiso)– I’m personally surprised multiple Big Sky’s haven’t gone on Reichle yet. He has size and speed, and showed off outstanding athleticism on offense as a state leader in multiple categories (1,975 yards, 24TDs, 164.6ypg, 8.8ypc)
17. Tiger Black Tiger Black 6'3" | 265 lbs | DL Roseburg | 2023 State OR 6-3 255 DL 23’ Roseburg- The 2x 1st team all conference and SWC Defensive Player of the Year had an unreal junior season. If he gets out on the camp circuit against top competition, and proves himself this off season, the sky’s the limit.
18. Drew Bennett Drew Bennett 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Westview | 2022 State OR 6-1 175 ATH 22’ Westview (OFFERS: Idaho)– Bennett led the state in INTs and was named the Metro League Defensive POY, returning multiple picks for TDs. With the original Idaho staff gone it will be interesting to see what happens.
19. Ethan Biondine Ethan Biondine 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Lakeridge | 2024 OR 6-0 220 LB 24’ Lakeridge- Originally from Hawaii, Biondine started as a freshman and had a monster Sophomore campaign, making 88 total tackles, 14.5 tfl’s and 4 sacks.
20. Earl Ingle Earl Ingle 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB West Linn | 2023 State OR 6-1 195 LB 23’ West Linn- Ingle has played lights out the last few seasons, earning TRL Defensive POY honors in the state’s toughest conference. He’s not your typical LB playing the QB spot. Just a very impressive overall athlete.
21. Jace Burton Jace Burton 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Jesuit | 2024 State OR 5-10 165 CB 24’ Jesuit- Most are familiar as the son of former PSU head coach Nigel Burton. He backed it up on the field earning 1st team all league honors as a Sophomore.
22. Gavin McGuire Gavin McGuire 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Lake Oswego | 2022 State OR 6-1 220 OLB 22’ Lake Oswego- The TRL CO- Defensive Lineman of the Year played out of position his entire HS career and consistently caused havoc. The only thing that is clear from a projection standpoint is that he is incredibly talented.
23. Sullivan McDaniel Sullivan McDaniel 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Clackamas | 2023 State OR 6-3 225 LB 23’ Clackamas- One of the most intriguing recruits state wide for the 2023 class. Separate from being one of the top lacrosse athletes in the region, his size and speed at the LB position speak for itself.
24. Will Wilson Will Wilson 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Tualatin | 2023 State OR 6-3 215 LB 23’ Tualatin- Watch Wilson play and you see a kid who is instinctual, and has the necessary size and speed to play a high level of collegiate ball. Expect him to have a monster senior year.
25. Oliver Fisher Oliver Fisher 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Sherwood | 2023 State OR 6-5 220 DE 23’ Sherwood- Expect Fisher to have a big off season after earning 1st team all conference honors defensively. His overall athleticism and abilities at TE compliment his arsenal of talents.