Elite 4-star EDGE Elijah Rushing commits to Oregon Ducks

Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic four-star EDGE Elijah Rushing has announced his commitment to the Oregon Ducks.

Rushing decommitted from his hometown school, Arizona, on Sunday, Oct. 8 after initially committing to the Wildcats back at the start of July. At that time, Oregon was considered a favorite to land him. However, he noted while announcing his decommitment that he wanted a program where he felt he could better develop.

“Although it is evident that the program is on the rise, I have to consider my future goal,” he tweeted. “I have come to the conclusion that the program is not the right fit for me to take the next step with regard to my development. I am, therefore, decommitting from the program.”

**Subscribe to the On3Recruits YouTube channel**

A week after his decommitment from Arizona, Rushing told On3’s Josh Newberg that one of the biggest draws to Oregon was the defensive culture of the staff in Eugene.

“I would just say the defensive expertise on the side of the ball with coach (Tosh) Lupoi and coach (Dan) Lanning,” Rushing said of intrigued him about the Ducks. “Definitely just coaches who really know their craft. And kind of just got to see how they’ve taken guys from the past and developed them and put them in positions to succeed.

… Like I got to see Teitum (Tuioti) and Matayo (Uiagalelei) — the two freshmen — they got to get in and they were doing their thing as far as the two games I’ve seen them in. And then just kind of the culture that they have around there is always attacking. It’s an attack mindset. And as a defensive player, that’s what you want. That’s why you play that side of the ball, just to attack and get there.”

Rushing is the nation’s No. 35 overall prospect and No. 5 edge rusher in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Arizona.

Elijah Rushing Scouting Summary

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about Rushing as a prospect:

“Tall, angular pass rusher with the ability to get after the passer due to his quickness and length. Measured between 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-6 and around 230 pounds as a junior. Has solid length for the position. Productive pass rusher who feasts on mismatched offensive linemen. Primarily lines up wide both in a three-point stance and as a stand-up rusher.

“Plays with good quickness. Shows an effective long arm getting his hands inside the body of opposing offensive linemen. Plays with a good effort level and chases the ball as a pursuit defender. Productive as a junior, notching 11.5 sacks. A solid, not spectacular athlete at the position. Can play high and stand to add functional strength. Was neutralized when facing Power 5 offensive line prospects as a junior.”