Oregon Trending for Nation's No. 1 Ranked Player in 2026
Oregon already has the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the 2026 cycle according to On3Sports. But it appears Dan Lanning might be just getting started.
After Edna Karr (La.) defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart reclassified to the 2025 class, and a rankings adjustment on Monday morning, a new No. 1 was crowned in the 2026 rankings. And it’s another defensive lineman with Oregon interest.
St. Frances Academy (Md.) EDGE Zion Elee is now the No. 1 ranked player in the On3 rankings. He is the No. 5 ranked player in the On3 Industry rankings which averages all of the recruiting services. He is the No. 1 ranked EDGE in both rankings.
Following those rankings changes, On3’s director of recruiting, Steve Wiltfong has logged a prediction in favor of Oregon. It was 60% confidence for his prediction. The Ducks have now a near 90% chance to land Elee according to the On3 RPM. Here is some of what Wiltfong had to say about Oregon with some quotes from Elee.
“Oregon they are constant,” Elee said. “Other schools are in the mix but they’re not as constant as Oregon.”
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Elee believes the Ducks program is one he could thrive in.
“The defense,” he stated. How they run their defense and the position they would put me in and how I want to be and how I want to play, it fits me.
“What makes them special is how they came from the Pac 12 and came into the Big Ten and start dominating. It shows the coaching staff has made an immediate impact.
“They are setting the bar but at the same time other schools are popping up and starting recruiting me.”
Some of those other programs include local Maryland where he saw the Terrapins beat USC on Saturday. He aims to get to Miami soon.
“Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Florida, Alabama, have been hitting me lately.”
The Ducks have 7 commitments in the 2026 recruiting class.
