4-Star CB Caleb Presley ready to be part of the Oregon family

In honor of his late auntie, Sammamish (Wash.) Rainier Beach (Wash.) cornerback Caleb Presley announced his commitment on July 5, her birthday.

“I did this for her on her birthday,” Presley told On3. “I am committing to Oregon and this is for her and I know she is smiling down.”

Dan Lanning and the Ducks beat out Alabama, Michigan State, Texas A&M, UCLA, and Washington for the. No. 83 prospect in the On3 Consensus. Those were his top schools, but when the decision was made, it was Oregon over Michigan State.

“When I went on my official visit to Michigan State (June 10), I learned about the process and what to look for. I took a lot away from that visit and I was high on Michigan State.

“I then knew I needed to get back to Oregon one more time to make sure of things. We went back for an unofficial visit (June 18) and that is when I made my decision.

“It came down to those two schools. Afte spending time at Oregon and talking with the players, and spending more time with the coaches, I knew I wanted to be a Duck. The players gave great reviews of the coaching staff and that was it for me.”

Presley has bonded with Coach Meat

Presley is high on Lanning, he loves Tosh Lupoi’s knowledge, but the coach he connects the best with is Demetrice Martin, who is known at coach Meat.

“Me and coach Meat go way back. He was recruiting me when he was at Colorado, so he has been on me for a while. To be completely honest, he is the reason I chose Oregon.

“Since he has been recruiting me, I haven’t even looked at him as a coach. He is more like an uncle. When we talk, it is always natural. We talk about real things and he tries to help me in real life.

“We grow as people together and my hat is off to him. I have trust in him, I know he can coach me, and coach Meat is going to make me a better person.”

Presley believes in Dan Lanning’s plan

Mario Cristobal did not leave Oregon in a bad place for Lanning. There is talent in Eugene, it has competed at a high level in the Pac-12 in recent years, and Presley believes Lanning can take it to an even higher level.

“Coach Lanning has everyone working together at Oregon,” Presley said. “He and his coaching staff are bringing the SEC to the Pac-12. Coach Lanning is coming off a national championship at Georgia and he is a defensive-minded coach that is going to set the program up for success.”

Not only is Presley high on Lanning as a coach on the field, but who he is off the field as well.

“He wants to establish character in his players. He wants to build a connection between the team and the coaches. Coach Lanning is more about family. For him, it is about developing the whole person, not just the football player.

“I love what coach Lanning is about. He wants to be great. He wants Oregon to be great. And I know he wants the best for him players.”

The future is bright for Presley in Eugene

Before Presley left Eugene on his last visit, he let Lanning and the Oregon staff of his decision. It felt right for him and his family.

Oregon pushed the right buttons to land the No. 8 cornerback in the country and he is excited about his future.

“Everything on that visit confirmed my decision for me and my parents,” Presley said. “I am big on family and my family loved it at Oregon. With me staying close to home, my family will be able to see every game. That is important to me.

“Oregon is going to make me the best I can be. There is no cap there with Phil Knight coming from Oregon. Then the coaches staff cares about the players.

“And on the football side, they send guys to the NFL, they are focused on helping the players build their brands, and I know they will help me develop.

“It was a pretty tough decision, but Oregon is best for me.”