Oregon Ducks Win Recruiting Battle for Five-Star Mark Bowman After Final Visit, Edging Out Top Contender Georgia Bulldogs

The Oregon Ducks have secured one of the biggest commitments of the 2026 recruiting cycle, landing five-star linebacker Mark Bowman in a major recruiting victory over the Georgia Bulldogs. After a whirlwind recruitment that included visits to multiple national powers, Bowman made his final stop in Eugene — a visit that ultimately sealed the deal. The commitment not only boosts Oregon’s already impressive 2026 class but also signifies a major statement to the college football world: the Ducks are serious contenders on the national recruiting stage. Bowman, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive dynamo out of Buford, Georgia, had long been viewed as a Georgia lean. The Bulldogs, who have developed a reputation under head coach Kirby Smart as one of the premier programs for defensive talent, were heavily invested in Bowman. Their pursuit began early, and by the time Bowman was entering his junior season, he was already a top target on Georgia’s board. He visited Athens on numerous occasions and built a strong relationship with the Bulldogs’ defensive staff, particularly co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. But Oregon, led by head coach Dan Lanning, never backed down in their pursuit. Lanning, who served as Georgia’s defensive coordinator during their 2021 national championship season, leveraged his ties to the Southeast and reputation as a defensive architect to keep the Ducks in the mix. His pitch was clear: Bowman could be the centerpiece of a defense being built to dominate the Big Ten in Oregon’s first years in the conference. The decision came after Bowman’s official visit to Eugene — his final stop in the recruiting process. The Ducks rolled out the red carpet, showcasing not only their facilities and campus but also their vision for how Bowman fits into the scheme. Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi gave Bowman an in-depth look at Oregon’s evolving defensive strategy and detailed how he could contribute right away. Sources close to the visit described it as “transformative,” with Bowman leaving Eugene energized and impressed by the culture and coaching staff. While Georgia had hoped to lock things down earlier in the process, Bowman opted to go through all of his official visits before making a decision. That patience turned out to be pivotal. Oregon’s staff was confident that if they could get Bowman on campus one more time, they’d have a real shot — and they were right. Bowman’s commitment is more than just a recruiting win; it’s a symbolic shift in the national landscape. Oregon has been on the rise under Lanning, who in just a few short years has reshaped the Ducks into a more physical, defense-first program while maintaining the speed and explosiveness that has long been the program’s calling card. Landing a player of Bowman’s caliber — especially from the heart of SEC country — is validation of that vision. It’s also a blow to Georgia, which had made Bowman one of its highest-priority defensive targets in the 2026 class. The Bulldogs have enjoyed a remarkable run on the recruiting trail over the past several years, routinely landing top-five classes and dominating in-state recruiting. Losing a homegrown five-star linebacker, particularly one from a powerhouse program like Buford, stings. For Bowman, the decision was not easy. Sources close to the process indicate that he had genuine affection for Georgia and had long envisioned himself playing in front of a hometown crowd in Athens. However, Oregon’s coaching staff made an impression that proved too strong to ignore. Bowman’s camp was particularly impressed with Lanning’s player development plan and the attention to detail shown throughout the visit. Bowman’s skillset is tailor-made for the modern college game. He possesses elite sideline-to-sideline speed, violent tackling ability, and a high football IQ. As a junior, he recorded 121 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and five sacks while also forcing three fumbles. His versatility allows him to play inside or outside linebacker, and he’s comfortable in pass coverage — a skill that has become increasingly valuable in today’s spread-heavy offenses. In Oregon’s system, Bowman is expected to be used in a variety of roles. The Ducks plan to unleash him as a blitzer off the edge while also grooming him as a three-down linebacker capable of anchoring the middle of the defense. His arrival comes at a time when Oregon is assembling one of the most athletically gifted front sevens in the nation, with recent recruiting wins and returning production giving the Ducks a strong foundation on defense. The Ducks’ success in landing Bowman also highlights their increasing national reach. For years, Oregon’s recruiting efforts were focused primarily on the West Coast, but under Lanning, the Ducks have broadened their scope. They’ve landed key recruits out of Texas, Florida, and now Georgia — a testament to the staff’s ability to build relationships and pitch a vision that resonates across regions. Recruiting experts across the country are taking notice. Bowman’s commitment has sent ripples through the industry, with several analysts pointing to it as a turning point for Oregon’s 2026 class. The Ducks now sit firmly in the top five of most major recruiting rankings, and with momentum building, they are poised to make a serious run at the No. 1 class by signing day. For Bowman, the decision brings clarity after months of uncertainty. He has often spoken about finding a place that felt like home, both on and off the field. In Eugene, he found a program that believes in him and a coaching staff that understands how to develop linebackers at the highest level. The presence of former Georgia staffers on Oregon’s roster, including Lanning and others familiar with Bowman’s high school coaches, helped ease the transition and built immediate trust. There’s also an element of opportunity. With Oregon entering the Big Ten in 2026, Bowman will be part of a new era for Ducks football. He’ll face off against programs like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State on a regular basis, with national television exposure and playoff implications on the line. It’s a chance to help Oregon build a championship contender from the ground up in a new conference — something that clearly appealed to Bowman and his family. As the news broke, social media lit up with reactions from recruits, fans, and national analysts. Several current Oregon players took to Twitter to welcome Bowman to the flock, while other elite recruits in the 2026 cycle noted the commitment as a sign that Oregon is “for real.” It’s the kind of buzz that builds momentum, and Oregon will hope to use Bowman’s commitment to springboard into additional big-name pickups. It’s too early to say whether Bowman will become the next great Oregon linebacker, but the early signs are promising. He has all the tools — physical, mental, and emotional — to make an immediate impact. And in Dan Lanning’s system, he’ll be given every opportunity to thrive. Georgia, for its part, won’t be out of the picture entirely. The Bulldogs are expected to continue recruiting Bowman until signing day, hoping to change his mind. In the world of modern college football recruiting, verbal commitments are often just the beginning of a longer battle. But for now, Oregon has won the day — and the Ducks aren’t looking back. This recruitment will likely be remembered as a defining moment in Oregon’s rise under Lanning. By going into SEC territory and landing a five-star linebacker coveted by Georgia, the Ducks have proven they can play — and win — at the highest level. And with Mark Bowman now committed, the rest of the college football world is officially on notice.