Dan Lanning reveals how Oregon improved with 2023 recruiting class

Dan Lanning put together an impressive recruiting class during his first full cycle at Oregon. Not only was speed a priority, but he said getting bigger on the lines was important, as well.

The Ducks brought in the nation’s No. 8-ranked class, according to the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. Five-star wide receiver Jurrion Dickey is the crown jewel of the group, coming in as the No. 28-ranked recruit in the nation, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The next highest-ranked signee is defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei — the No. 40 player in the country — which speaks to the priority to get faster and stronger.

“I think we’re going to be a faster team,” Lanning said. “I think size, especially in places in the trenches, is a place that we’ve improved. Ultimately, you want to be a faster team and you want to be a bigger team. I think we did both those things.”

Oregon’s top four recruits are all from California as Lanning worked to keep West Coast talent in the area. That’s not just a priority for this first cycle, though. It’s going to be a focal point in the future, too.

“I also think we did a great job of keeping the best talent on the West Coast,” Lanning said. “That’s something that we always want to do a good job of.”

Dan Lanning shares what he has learned in a year of Oregon recruiting

In his first year as the coach at Oregon, Dan Lanning managed to sign a top-10 recruiting class, so suffice it to say he’s got things firing on all cylinders when it comes to Oregon recruiting.

And yet the now second-year head coach still sees room for improvement. Even after national signing day he was still making pitches.

“And I’ll say this, Oregon is an opportunity that a lot of people want to be a part of,” Lanning said. “They see the innovation. They see what exists here and makes this place so great, and that’s what excites me. I feel like we can go anywhere in the nation and go get the best players when people see this for the right thing.”