Dan Lanning Recaps National Signing Day

The Oregon Ducks posted another elite signing day, flipping multiple five-star prospects from rivals near and far. Coach Dan Lanning spoke with media following the action to recap the day’s successes.

Below are the most notable questions and quotes from Lanning’s interview as well as my thoughts at the end.

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Opening Statement:

“Our focus really as a staff was quality over quantity, guys we felt like could make a great impact here and I think we certainly accomplished that through the guys we were able to sign. We’re really focused on character and size and speed, the things that matter in football but certainly character in today’s climate is really important.”

“We’ll have 15 early enrollees from this class and it’s represented in 13 different states. Eight guys that played multiple sports and I think we addressed a lot of the needs we have in our future and equipped ourselves to compete at the highest level.”

On Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele‘s commitment:

“It’s not often you get to this point and you don’t know which way it’s leaning. What I did know was where Jaron’s heart was and the process started a little later for us so I’m really excited about him and what he’ll bring to the table for us.”

On the depth this class will add:

“I’m pumped about this class and the people that don’t get enough praise are the people are our support staff and we have unbelievable relationships on our staff that allow us to get some of the best players in the nation.”

On how he flips so many players:

“Consistency and having a clear vision for what you want to create for guys. All these guys recognize that they want to be part of a winner and that’s what you want.”

“They all want the opportunity to compete and play so they weren’t looking for the easiest spot on the depth chart and I think that’s true for guys that joined us as of late and guys we were able to hold onto.”

On how current players respond to signing day:

“I think they’re excited but they’re a lot more focused on this game we have coming up Saturday. What I love about our guys is that they do as good a job of recruiting as anyone.”

On why defensive back and receiver stand out in this class:

“I think there are some people that will be leaving our program at those spots who are great players so there’s great opportunity at those positions. There’s a standard of play and type of athlete we’re looking for so if guys meet those standards they’re going to be guys we want to add.”

On the recruiting staff at Oregon:

“I think we have the best staff in America and that’s a credit to them so because of that we’re able to have days like today.”

On Dierre Hill‘s positional versatility:

“We see him coming in as a running back but when you see a guy like that on film that can help on special teams and when you have that flexibility it’s really special. On the other hand when you see the numbers he’s put up this year we’d be crazy not to line him up on the backfield and let him do some things.”

On the process of keeping Dallas Wilson‘s commitment:

“Really proud of Dallas knowing what he wanted and when you’re a talented player there are going to be a lot of people that want you but his dream mattered to him. To see his journey to get here through some of the adversity he’s faced is impressive but this guy’s held true for a long time and really proud of him for that.”

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Linden’s Take:

Another signing day, another ferocious close for the Ducks. It seems this staff has made it a high priority to win signing day and not just the commitment battle.

The level of talent acquired today exceeds anything Oregon has been able to do in the past and as the team continues to prove itself on the field, the off-field results flow. This program is ascending from one that utilizes its talent at an elite level to one that acquires it at as high a level as any in the country.

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