Oregon beats Tennessee for 4-star WR Kyler Kasper

Oregon took the lead early in 2022 for Kyler Kasper before Tennessee made a move in recent weeks. After taking the needed visits and talking it over with his family, the 6-foot-5, 195-pound wide receiver out of Gilbert (Ari.) Williams Field has committed to the Ducks.

Josh Heupel and the Vols made it interesting, especially after landing five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava, but Dan Lanning and the Ducks ended up on top. The No. 122 prospect in the On3 Consensus went back and forth before making his final decision Thursday.

Kasper gave Lanning, Junior Adams, and the Oregon staff the news Friday.

“I think the Oregon coaches kind of thought it was coming, but when I told them about my decision, they were all super-excited,” Kasper told On3. “They knew I liked Oregon a lot, and I actually thought about committing on my second visit, so they knew I was high on the program, but when I committed, they seemed a little shocked.

“Coach Lanning was excited, coach Adams was going crazy, and the whole coaching staff was pumped.”

Lanning has to be happy with how he closed out the 2022 class recently by beating USC for offensive tackle Josh Conley earlier this month. Kasper was expected to join the Ducks’ 2023 class, but will instead reclassify into 2022 and head to campus this summer, according to On3’s ScoopDuck.com.

Kasper sees big things coming in Eugene.

“Coach Lanning just gets it. He knows how to connect with players and because of that, players are going to play for him. He has a great coach staff, he has a lot of energy, and he is about to get things rolling at Oregon.”

Oregon took the lead after Kasper’s first visit

When Kasper first visited Oregon in January, there were no real expectations. He knew about the uniforms, he was aware of the flash, but the Ducks were not high on his list. That visit changed everything.

The No. 3 prospect in Arizona went back for a second visit in March, and the feelings were the same, so Kasper knew they were real.

“It was about Oregon being Oregon, doing a cool photoshoot, and just seeing what it was like on my first visit,” Kasper said. “That is all I was really thinking about heading into that visit.

“By the time I left though, I was feeling strong about Oregon. I met the coaches, I talked to some players, I learned about the school, and I had some real feelings for Oregon. That is why I went back a second time.

“I knew if I had those same feelings, then Oregon could be the school for me. I met with the coaches again, I sat in on meetings, I spent more time with the team, and I loved Oregon.

“After that visit, Oregon was way up there for me.”

A commitment almost took place shortly after that visit a month ago. Kasper held off though. He gave Tennessee a shot, and the Vols have him a lot to think about, but he knew where he wanted to be.

“Both schools have great coaches, they both recruited me hard, but Oregon is where I want to be. I feel like part of the Oregon family already. That feeling I have for Oregon is real and I am ready to represent the school and get out to recruit other players.

“I am locked in.”

Coach Adams played a big role in this commitment too. He coached Cooper Kupp and he is very detailed in his teaching. Kasper can’t wait to learn under coach Adams and be developed by him and the Oregon staff.