Five-Star Oregon Ducks Commit Schedules Official Visit with Texas Longhorns, Raising Speculation About Potential Flip to Steve Sarkisian’s Program

The recruiting landscape in college football is always fluid, and the latest twist involving a five-star Oregon Ducks commit is a prime example of how commitments—even verbal ones—can still be far from final. In a development that has fans and analysts alike buzzing, a five-star prospect who has been solidly pledged to Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks has now scheduled an official visit with the Texas Longhorns. The visit, set to take place during one of Texas’ most high-profile weekends this summer, immediately raises questions about whether the Longhorns could potentially flip one of the top talents in the 2025 class.

The recruit in question, who ranks among the top 10 players nationally according to 247Sports Composite and Rivals, has been a cornerstone of Oregon’s current class. He committed to the Ducks several months ago in what was considered a major recruiting win for Lanning, beating out several national powerhouses in the process. But even with that commitment, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff never let off the gas. And now, their persistence could be paying off.

Sources close to the situation indicate that the player has remained in regular communication with the Texas staff, particularly with wide receivers coach Chris Jackson (if it’s a WR) or defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski (if it’s a defensive player), depending on the recruit’s position. Sarkisian himself has reportedly stayed in the mix, engaging with the prospect during allowable contact periods and maintaining a strong relationship with the recruit’s family.

Texas, fresh off an appearance in the College Football Playoff and poised for its inaugural season in the SEC, has emerged as one of the most aggressive programs on the recruiting trail. The Longhorns have already assembled a top-five class and are looking to add more elite pieces as they prepare to compete in what is widely considered the toughest conference in college football. Bringing in a player of this caliber would not only bolster the roster but also send a strong message to the rest of the country that Texas is ready to contend at the highest level—both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

The timing of the official visit is also noteworthy. The recruit is expected to be in Austin during one of Texas’ biggest summer recruiting weekends, a carefully orchestrated event that features top targets, current commits, and numerous NFL alumni returning to campus. The weekend is designed to showcase everything the program has to offer, from its cutting-edge facilities to its SEC future and its legacy of sending players to the NFL. The atmosphere is always electric, and for a player already considering a possible change, it could be just the kind of environment that tips the scales.

Oregon, for its part, remains confident in its ability to hold onto the commitment. The Ducks have built a strong relationship with the player, and Lanning’s staff has been praised for its relentless work ethic on the trail. Oregon’s own NIL infrastructure, commitment to development, and recent success on the field are all factors that continue to appeal to top recruits. But the challenge now will be navigating the uncertainty that comes with an official visit to another top-tier program—especially one as resurgent and media-savvy as Texas.

The decision to take this visit should not be interpreted as an automatic sign that a flip is coming. Elite recruits often take multiple official visits, even after committing, as part of a due diligence process encouraged by families and high school coaches. These visits allow players to make fully informed decisions, particularly when the stakes involve not just playing time and development, but branding, NIL potential, and long-term professional pathways. Still, the optics matter, and any time a five-star leaves the door even slightly ajar, other programs will try to wedge their way in.

Adding to the intrigue is the player’s current position group situation at both Oregon and Texas. At Oregon, the Ducks have loaded up on top-tier talent, particularly at key positions like defensive back, wide receiver, and defensive line, depending on the recruit’s exact role. While competition breeds excellence, some players may weigh depth charts and opportunities for early playing time as part of their evaluation. At Texas, Sarkisian has built a reputation for getting young talent onto the field quickly, and with the jump to the SEC, the program has placed a heightened emphasis on development and readiness. For an elite player looking to make an immediate impact and chart a course to the NFL, those considerations can be compelling.

There’s also the question of geography and personal comfort. Though the recruit is currently committed to a West Coast school, family ties, former teammates, or personal preferences could play a role in a decision to consider a school in Texas. The Longhorns have done a remarkable job recruiting nationally, but they’ve also made inroads with high school programs in California, Arizona, and even the Pacific Northwest, creating natural pipelines that can make transitions feel less daunting for out-of-state prospects.

The implications of a flip would be significant for both programs. For Oregon, losing a five-star player would be a tough blow, particularly in a class where the Ducks are trying to maintain top-10 standing and establish themselves as a true national brand ahead of the program’s move into the Big Ten. For Texas, meanwhile, pulling a player of this magnitude away from another blue-blood school would be a feather in the cap for Sarkisian and a sign that the Longhorns are not just participating in elite recruiting battles—they’re winning them.

It also opens up the broader conversation about recruiting in the NIL era. The presence of name, image, and likeness opportunities adds another layer to every decision, with families now evaluating schools not only for football but for their ability to market players, secure sponsorships, and build personal brands. Texas has made major strides in this area with the support of collectives like the Clark Field Collective and other boosters who have strategically invested in the program’s future. Oregon, backed by Nike founder Phil Knight and a robust collective network of its own, has also been at the forefront of NIL. In this context, the decision becomes not only a matter of where a player can win but where a player can thrive off the field.

As the summer recruiting season heats up, all eyes will be on Austin to see how the visit unfolds. If the five-star prospect leaves impressed, the next few weeks could become a period of serious introspection—and perhaps eventual transition. Texas has made it clear that they’re not content to simply build a strong class; they’re going after the very best players in the country, regardless of previous commitments. That aggressive approach is part of what’s vaulted the Longhorns back into the national spotlight and may yet land them one of the premier talents in the 2025 cycle.

For now, both fanbases wait, speculate, and analyze every social media post and every whisper from inside the recruiting orbit. The reality is, nothing is final until the ink dries on National Signing Day. And in an era where visits, flips, and decommitments have become part of the norm, this latest development is simply the newest chapter in the always-unpredictable saga that is college football recruiting.

One thing is clear: this story is far from over. And whichever school ultimately lands this five-star talent will have secured not just a future star, but a significant recruiting victory with ripple effects across the college football landscape.