Ducks land standout tight end
Evan Baylis considered delaying his college decision until the early summer but after visiting Oregon and meeting with the coaching staff the Aurora (Colo.) Grandview tight end had his mind made up.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end wrapped up his recruitment Friday by making his commitment to the Ducks.
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"After I visited them in late March I really liked the school and had a good visit and kept talking to them," Baylis said.
"They came out and watched me practice and I get along with the coaches really well. It felt right to me and I wanted to get it out of the way before my senior year so I can focus on my senior season."
Baylis, one of the top tight ends in the West, finished with 33 receptions for 456 yards and six touchdowns in his junior season.
Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, Colorado State, Duke, Indiana, Michigan, Northwestern, Stanford, UCLA and Utah had also offered but after Baylis made his recent trip to Eugene the Ducks had taken a significant lead in his recruitment.
"The big part was the coaches," Baylis said. "Coach (Tom) Osborne and coach (Chip) Kelly, I got along with them. The campus is nice and it's a nice little college town.
"You can get around in a good amount of time. It's one plane ride away from home, it's a direct flight. They have what I want to study and great football."
Throughout the process, Baylis didn't give many hints on where he was leaning but he had visited Oregon, Boise State, Colorado, Colorado State, Michigan and Stanford which gave a little insight into his favorites.
Baylis had said in recent weeks that he was focused on lacrosse season and then would start narrowing things down. He didn't need that much time to make his choice.
Oregon's fast-pace offense appeals to Baylis, who said his high school team tries to move the ball quickly but that it will definitely be an adjustment going to Oregon's speedy approach. It's something Baylis is looking forward to.
"I'll probably have to adjust to it because the speed of the game increases a lot," Baylis said. "My offense in high school is kind of fast-paced but I'll adjust. It's going to be good."