No question, Dan Lanning can recruit. But it’s been kind of quiet on Oregon’s recruiting front lately—like, nothing since February 26th when they got that 4-star safety, Xavier Lherrise, from Florida. Meanwhile, you’ve got Lincoln Riley and his crew straight-up snatching their targets, and then all the big SEC teams are always in the mix too. But that quiet spell might be ending soon. Word is, one of Lanning’s main targets is announcing his decision this weekend, so it looks like the Ducks’ dry spell could be over.
On May 3rd, Oregon insider Max Torres stirred the pot with a bold pick—predicting 4-star wideout Kayden Dixon-Wyatt to land in Eugene. The Mater Dei standout, standing 6 feet 1 and weighing in at 180 pounds, is set to make his college choice on Sunday, May 4. However, his top five? A who’s who of college football royalty: Oregon, Alabama, Texas, OSU, and USC. No matter where he lands, Dixon-Wyatt brings star power. But in Oregon, he wouldn’t just shine—he’d lead. Much like Dakorien Moore before him, Dixon-Wyatt could help redefine the Ducks’ WR room and leave a legacy of his own in green and yellow.
Playing for powerhouse Mater Dei last season, the MaxPreps National Champions, Dixon-Wyatt hauled in 50 catches for 693 yards and five touchdowns. Keep in mind that he was on a stacked team where he played alongside current Ducks Nasir Wyatt and Jordon Davison, and even teamed up with Oregon’s Aydin Breland and Jack Ressler when he was a sophomore. When On3 Sports asked him about his visit, he didn’t hold back, saying, “Oregon has always been a top school for me, but they have recently really started to separate themselves from the other schools.”
Oregon insider @mtorressports has logged an expert prediction for the Ducks to land a Top-100 prospect nearing a decision
Intel: https://t.co/Pqd8J7nhIS pic.twitter.com/kngQt1ZcFn
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 2, 2025
While plenty of buzz is swirling around Kayden Dixon-Wyatt’s recruitment, USC is making noise. But multiple sources point to the Trojans as Oregon’s top competition. Lincoln Riley’s squad has ramped up its efforts in Southern California, showing a recruiting push unlike any other during his tenure. But there’s a catch—USC came in a bit late. That delay might prove costly. Meanwhile, Oregon has long-standing ties to Mater Dei, and while that pipeline may not be red-hot at the moment, Dixon-Wyatt presents the perfect chance to reignite it. So, the Ducks see this not just as a battle—they see it as a statement opportunity.
Remember, when it comes to landing top-tier wideouts, betting against OSU is rarely wise. But the momentum may be shifting. Oregon is quietly gaining steam in the race for Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. With Brian Hartline now serving as OC, his reduced hands-on role with WRs could impact the Buckeyes’ pull. Meanwhile, Oregon offers a compelling mix—close enough to home to feel familiar, yet far enough to spark growth. Though the absence of Junior Adams slightly dims the connection, Coach Ross Douglas has stepped up big. Ducks are firmly in the mix, and everything might just be lining up for Oregon to land one of the Golden State’s best.
That being said, it’s looking more and more like a battle between Oregon and OSU for the No. 12 WR in the On3 rankings. And despite USC’s late push, Oregon appears to have the edge.
Oregon Ducks vs USC Trojans
The USC Trojans are making serious noise this offseason—and Lincoln Riley’s squad isn’t slowing down. With 25 commitments already on the board, USC holds the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, per 247Sports, with a loaded 287.71 points. However, the latest splash? A big-time pledge from IMG Academy’s standout OT, Keenyi Pepe. The Florida native adds more firepower to an already elite 2026 class that’s turning heads across the country. So, USC is stacking talent—and stacking wins in the recruiting game.
The Trojans are seriously loading up their offense, grabbing some serious firepower with explosive receiver Trent Mosley, 4-star running back Deshonne Redeaux, and that massive offensive lineman Esun Tafa. And get this—USC not only poached one but two key recruits directly from under Oregon’s nose. First, they snagged 4-star quarterback Jonas Williams. Then, they doubled down and swiped that 320-pound wrecking ball of a 4-star defensive lineman, Tomuhini Topui, right out of Dan Lanning’s recruiting class. Now everyone’s watching Kayden Dixon-Wyatt’s move……
Even though USC is making some noise with these top prospects, don’t count out Oregon just yet. The Ducks have had Dixon-Wyatt in their sights for a while now, and they’re putting in the work. He’s already been to Eugene a whopping three times this year. First for Junior Day in January, then again on April 18th for Oregon’s second spring scrimmage weekend, really soaking in the atmosphere and what the coaches are putting together. Plus, Oregon’s coaches, including Ross Douglas, were just in Southern California this week, checking him out again during the spring evaluations. So, the message is loud and clear: Dixon-Wyatt is a huge priority, and Oregon is leaving no stone unturned to land him. Guess we’ll see how that West Coast recruiting thing shakes out on Sunday.
The post Oregon’s Recruiting Drought Nearing End as Dan Lanning Closes In on Elite USC Target Despite Trojans’ Major Development appeared first on EssentiallySports.