Oregon’s recruiting dominance shows no signs of slowing down. Dan Lanning and his staff have transformed Eugene into a magnet for elite talent, landing another major commitment for their 2026 class.
Four-star safety Devin Jackson chose the Ducks on Thursday, giving Oregon 11 blue-chip prospects among its 14 commits. The program’s relentless approach on the recruiting trail continues to pay dividends as it builds toward championship contention.
Oregon Beats Out Major Programs for Four-Star Safety Jackson
Devin Jackson has ditched the orange and blue for Oregon green. The four-star safety out of Orlando’s First Academy officially announced his commitment to the Ducks. He chose Oregon over big names like Florida, Miami, Nebraska, Penn State, and the school he was once committed to, Florida.
Jackson had been locked in with the Gators for nine months. A Florida native, he first committed while still playing for West Orange High. Jackson even frequently traveled to Gainesville and bonded with Billy Napier’s squad.
However, something changed in April. The 6’2″, 195-pound defensive back decided to explore other options, decommitting from Florida on April 17 after spring practices wrapped up.
View this post on Instagram
Jackson’s search for a new home became clear after he reopened his recruitment. The versatile defensive back wanted a program that could develop his skills and compete at the highest level. After taking an official visit to Eugene earlier this month, Jackson found exactly what he was looking for in Oregon’s defensive system.
Why Jackson Fits Oregon’s Championship Blueprint
The Ducks’ aggressive secondary style makes Jackson a natural fit. His combination of size and versatility allows him to play deep safety or slide into the slot, giving defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi multiple options for deploying his newest weapon.
Jackson’s decision wasn’t easy, but as he put it in his Instagram post, “You have to leave the city to feed the City!! Floregon🦆.”
His commitment reflects Oregon’s growing national reach. The Ducks have built an impressive defensive back pipeline in recent years, landing top talents like Trey McNutt, Na’eem Offord, Brandon Finney, and Dorian Brew. These recruits see Eugene as a launching pad to the NFL, with Oregon producing first-round picks at defensive back in three of the past five drafts.
Jackson becomes Oregon’s third safety commitment in the 2026 class, joining five-star Jett Washington and four-star Xavier Lherisse. The trio gives Lanning one of the nation’s top safety hauls before the calendar even turns to August.
While a championship has eluded Lanning’s squad so far, this recruiting class could change that trajectory. The Ducks are assembling the pieces needed to compete with anyone in the expanded Big Ten and beyond.
The push was there to keep Jackson in-state, but Oregon’s vision proved too compelling to pass up. The Ducks flew across the country and secured another building block for their championship aspirations. With Jackson on board, Oregon’s 2026 secondary just became one of the most dangerous units in college football.
