Calling it now - the 2027 class is where we finally close the gap on Oregon in the trenches and nobody is ready for it. I have been watching the five-star board for that year and the noise coming out of Heritage Hall is LOUD. The staff is prioritizing interior defensive line and offensive tackle like I have not seen since the Carroll years. We have three legitimate 2027 five-star targets on the DL alone who have already scheduled unofficial visits for June. The 247 composite does not tell you the full story yet because these kids are still being evaluated but the crystal balls are starting to trickle in for us on at least two of them.
Meanwhile the bagman operation is fully engaged. I am hearing the NIL collective has earmarked serious money specifically for the 2027 DL haul. Oregon can stack all the five-star skill players they want but they cannto keep hoarding every elite trench prospect on the West Coast forever. We have the history, we have the development track record, and we have a staff that finally understands you win in the Big Ten by owning the line of scrimmage. By the time the 2027 early signing period opens we will have flipped the narrative on who owns recruiting in this conference. Mark my words.