Bennett pulls the trigger

After thoroughly enjoying a two-day visit to Oregon, Encino (Calif.) Crespi quarterback Bryan Bennett flew out to Pitt to give their staff a final chance at impressing him.

Though he planned to be in Pittsburgh through Saturday, Bennett is going to have to cut his trip short.

He decided to pull the trigger Thursday evening, and he's going to be a Duck.

"Oregon felt like the right thing for me," Bennett said. "I got to see all of Pittsburgh today and everything they had to offer, and I just had a gut feeling that Oregon was going to be the place for me. I kind of felt it when I was there, but I just wanted to give Pittsburgh the chance to show me what they have."

Though the Panthers' coaching staff was the first one to offer him, in the end, Pitt just didn't feel right like the right fit.

"In my heart, I just didn't feel it," he said. "Being so far away from home just didn't feel right. Oregon, I just kept coming back to it. I've got that gut feeling.

"It's what I felt was best for me. I don't want to sound selfish, but when it comes down to it, it's all about what I want and how I feel. It was the right time."

After taking a visit to Boise State on Sunday, Bennett went to Oregon and was blown away by what the Ducks had to offer.

"I like everything about them, from their coaches to their academic support system, and obviously their facilities," he said. "Everything seemed like the right fit for me."

Bennett, a three-star prospect and Rivals.com's No. 20 pro-style quarterback, is Oregon's fourth commit for its 2010 class.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound passer also found Ducks' current quarterback situation to be an attractive feature.

"Right now they have Jeremiah Masoli and another guy (Nate Costa) who's going to be a junior," Bennett said. "I'll come in during their senior seasons and I'll redshirt, which I was expecting to do, and then after that I'll be a redshirt freshman and I'll have the chance to compete with two seniors.

"After that, it's all competition, but it's a good situation for me to succeed in."

Due to the spring departures of backups Justin Roper and Chris Harper, Oregon is thin on depth at the position. Ducks coaches have told Bennett that though they won't offer another quarterback, they'll take another quarterback if one they've already offered decides to commit.

Bennett said he understands the team's situation at the position and has no problem with having another signal caller in his recruiting class.

"They've mentioned that they kind of have some problems with their quarterback depth," he said. "It's competition, and it doesn't scare me away at all."

After spending the week visiting schools and debating which one would be the best fit, Bennett is happy that his recruiting process is now over.

"I'm glad to get it out of the way and now focus on Crespi," he said. "I want to bring my team to a CIF championship, and I'll have time to focus on that now and go out there and get it done."