5-star WR Gatlin Bair signs with Oregon

Burley (Idaho) five-star wide receiver Gatlin Bair has signed with Oregon.

The 6-foot-1.5, 195-pound Bair is the No. 30 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is the cycle’s No. 7 wide receiver and top recruit from Idaho.

Bair committed to Oregon on February 3, choosing the Ducks over Michigan. He at one time was committed to Boise State before decommitting on December 1. Bair will take a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling.

“The stars started to align with Oregon after coach Lanning didn’t take the Texas A&M job,” Bair told On3. “That’s when the tide started to shift in my mind a little bit, along with (former Boise State head) coach (Andy) Avalos getting fired. One of my priorities is stability. Then, coach Lanning didn’t take the Alabama job and that’s when I was like, ‘Alright, he’s really not going anywhere…’ For my time there, he’s going to be at Oregon. Anything can happen, but I think he’s one of the most stable coaches in college football. He doesn’t want to be anywhere else. He’s really got my trust from that standpoint.”

Bair currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $251K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Gatlin Bair Scouting Summary

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

“One of the top overall athletes in the 2024 cycle who is the nation’s fastest football prospect on the track. Has unverified size, listed at around 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. Looks like the nation’s fastest football prospect during his junior track season. Consistently ran scintillating times. Won the state title in the 100 and 200 meters with remarkable 10.15-second and 20.56-second marks. Transfers that top-end speed to the gridiron. Shows the ability to blow by corners as a deep threat on vertical routes. Also flashes speed after the catch with the ball in his hands. Eliminates angles and beats defenders to the edge. Also a dangerous return man. Works on the outside and over the middle of the field.

“Can track the ball over his shoulder. Finished his junior season with 73 catches for 1,073 yards and 18 touchdowns. Shows the considerable twitch and bounce on the basketball court where his above-the-rim athleticism shows on alley oops and dunks in transition.Can improve his fluidity and polish as a route-runner as well as his comfort as a pass catcher. Averaged 14.7 yards per catch, which is on the low end among blue-chip receivers and top draft picks, especially considering his weaker than average competition. Reportedly plans to take an LDS mission following high school, postponing his college enrollment for two years.”