Oregon makes its case for pair of 4-star official visitors despite loss to Indiana

Autzen Stadium was stunned on Saturday as Oregon fell to Indiana in a high-profile Big Ten clash. The Ducks lost 30-20 and are now 5-1 on the year.

Despite the loss, the atmosphere in Eugene was electric as usual. Oregon had two big official visitors on campus over the weekend, both of which recently decommitted from other programs.

National interest has ramped up for both Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek four-star linebacker Braylon Hodge and Akron (Ohio) Walsh Jesuit four-star wide receiver Milan Parris. Oregon is in the thick of things for both with the December signing period now around seven weeks away.

The Ducks would love to land both and add to a recruiting class that currently features 17 commits and ranks No. 4 nationally, per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. This week, Oregon recruiting insider Max Torres joined Rivals’ ‘Inside Scoop’ recruiting show and discussed the Ducks’ push for the pair of uncommitted blue-chippers.

4-star LB Braylon Hodge

Hodge was an early find for Michigan State, but the Spartans were unable to hold onto his pledge as his stock continued to rise this fall. He decommitted on Oct. 10, right before he made his way to Eugene for his visit to Oregon over the weekend.

“The timing was certainly really interesting there, we know how important timing is when it comes to recruiting, particularly now for these 2026 guys with so many of them already committed to other schools,” Torres said.

The Ducks did make a splash, with Hodge labeling the environment “crazy” when speaking with Torres after the game. The weekend prior, Hodge visited Michigan, which was the program that initially garnered some buzz while the four-star was still committed to Michigan State.

Texas is also in the mix and is set to get an official visit later this fall. He’s already been to Austin once this season. When speaking with Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong after decommitting, Hodge tabbed the Ducks, Longhorns and Wolverines as the three at the top of his process. After getting back to Texas, a decision is expected.

“On the surface, it would certainly suggest that Oregon is in a good spot there as they battle Texas and Michigan here, in what looks like a pseudo-top three for Hodge, fresh off his decommitment from the Spartans. This is definitely a huge priority for Oregon,” Torres said. “They’ve been going for a second linebacker in this 2026 class for a very long time and things look like they’re heating up very quickly here for Hodge now that he’s taken his official visit … I like Oregon’s chances here, they definitely knew they had to make a huge impression on him this weekend.”

Hodge is the No. 171 overall prospect and No. 9 linebacker in the updated Rivals300. Four-star Tristan Phillips is currently the lone linebacker prospect in Oregon’s 2026 class.

4-star WR Milan Parris

Parris’ recruitment is a similar story to Hodge. Iowa State made an early play, landed his commitment, but exciting offers got the pass-catcher to come back on the board on Oct. 7.

Oklahoma has also already gotten him on campus for an official visit, while Miami and Auburn are also set to receive OVs this fall. Ducks receivers coach Ross Douglass has an angle that others don’t however, as he also hails from Ohio and would love to get the Akron product in the mix in Eugene.

“I’d say they are making him a fairly big priority here. Their 2026 class isn’t that big, 17 verbal commitments, two of those are receivers in Messiah Hampton and Jalen Lott, but it looks like Ross Douglas wants to go into his home state and would love to add Parris to this class,” Torres said.

Parris discussed his time at Oregon with Torres and is certainly keeping the Ducks in mind moving forward. He’s the No. 190 recruit and No. 23 pass-catcher in the nation, per the Rivals300.

“Wide receiver is certainly a premium position for Oregon and they don’t have a ton of bodies right now,” Torres said. “I think that you want as many good receivers as you possibly can and it looks like Douglass is making Parris a big priority, so that’ll be one we’re tracking very closely.”