One of the nation's most sought after running back recruits, Jordan Bryant James, made a late signing day flip and signed with Oregon this morning. The four-star standout from Murfreesboro Oakland (TN) chose the Ducks over signing with Georgia who he had been committed to since March.
There were hints that Bryant-James could flip leading in to the late signing period as his verbal commitment was considered "soft" after not signing with Bulldogs in December. When Oregon hired Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, the Ducks became a serious contender, and Bryant-James ultimately chose to sign with them in the end.
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CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State | JUCO
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
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What the Ducks are getting:
Jordan Bryant-James is one of the most dynamic backs in the entire 2022 class. He's a thick back who runs underneath his pads, has great balance and a knack for getting yards after first contact. Bryant-James is more than just a one trick running back though as he is just as capable of hitting the home-run from between the tackles, as he is on the edge, or as a receiver out of the backfield. He was impressive during his showing at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, and showed that he is capable of going toe to toe with the other top backs in the land. Oregon is getting an extremely talented back that is already physically developed and capable of contributing from the second he steps on campus.
Why it's big for Oregon:
Stealing a long time commitment from the reigning national champions is a huge win in itself. Throw in a new coach that is looking to make a statement signing to cap off his first recruiting class and there aren't too many players left on the board that could have made a splash like this. Dan Lanning is a defensive coach and we all know that defensive coaches covet running backs that can help them control the tempo of the game. While Bryant-James is very capable of doing just that, his ability to make a big play when the offense needs a score makes him all the more valuable. Whether it be from a recruiting perception standpoint, or knowing that Oregon has a new back capable of being the focal point of their offense, this is big in so many ways. Jordan Bryant-James is coming in at a time when the Ducks need him most and it shouldn't take long for him to make his presence felt in Eugene.
