Oregon is on a mission, trying to lock down what could be their fifth straight top five recruiting class in the 2028 cycle, and two massive targets are already getting a serious look. Dan Lanning and his staff are making big moves, especially with Josiah Boyd, the No. 2 quarterback in the Rivals300, and Landen Wade, a versatile defensive lineman who just shot up to No. 3 at his position nationally. These guys are feeling the pull to Autzen, big time.
Boyd’s Gameday Experience Was “Pretty Dope”
Josiah Boyd is right there at the top of Oregon’s list, with the Ducks battling UCLA and Kentucky for his commitment. The dude just visited Autzen last Friday for their ridiculous 84-0 victory over Portland State, and it sounds like it made a serious impression. Boyd was buzzing, saying the “game was a great experience,” and that the “atmosphere was crazy.” You know that feeling when the crowd is just absolutely electric? He felt that energy the whole time. He was digging how Oregon played and how their offense ran, which is huge for a QB. But the biggest takeaway for Boyd? He felt super “comfortable” there. He said everyone from the coaches to the players made him feel welcomed. Getting a deeper understanding of how they develop quarterbacks and what they expect from their guys, plus seeing that insane gameday atmosphere up close, was “pretty dope” for him. Next up for Boyd is a visit to Kentucky next month, but Oregon definitely laid down a marker.
Landen Wade Is Feeling the Relationship and the Culture
Then there’s Landen Wade, a beast of a defensive lineman out of Chandler, Arizona, who just jumped to No. 19 overall in the Rivals300 for the 2028 class. This guy was always at the top of Lanning’s board, and it sounds like Oregon has truly separated themselves in his recruitment. Wade highlighted the “strong relationship” he’s built with the staff and the “consistency” they’ve shown him. He was at Oregon’s win over Boise State earlier this season, and the “environment inside Autzen was crazy,” he said. The energy from the fans and the entire atmosphere made it a “really special experience” for him. After that trip, Wade is “still really excited about the opportunity at Oregon” because of those deep relationships with the coaches, including Coach Lanning, and the culture they’ve got going. He sees it as a place where he could develop both on and off the field and “be part of something special.” Wade’s got more visits planned, including Texas A&M on October 10 and Oklahoma the weekend of October 17. He’s talking to a lot of schools, but Oregon is clearly making a powerful impact on him and his family as he navigates this “bigger than football” decision.
Oregon is pushing hard for these top talents, showing them the culture and the atmosphere. Keeping Boyd and Wade engaged means Lanning’s vision for a continuous pipeline of elite players is very much alive. We’ll be watching closely to see how these visits unfold, especially with Kentucky and Texas A&M coming up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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