Oregon commit leaves door open to other programs

Tre McKitty doesn’t totally dismiss the distance factor.

The Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy Tight End know Oregon, to which he is committed, is quite a haul from his family’s Florida home. Will it affect his pledge to the Ducks? Maybe. Maybe not.

McKitty certainly isn’t ruling it out.

“It’s a little more intimidating to my family than it is to me,” McKitty said of his commitment to the Ducks. “They just know it’s gonna be hard for them to come watch my games all the time and that it’s gonna be hard to get me to come home as often as I would if I were closer to home.

“Auburn is coming back kind of slow,” McKitty said. “They are giving me some space since I committed. Florida is still coming hard. Miami has jumped back into the picture too. I’m talking to Florida State a little, too. I’m just staying in touch.”

A three-star prospect, McKitty is ranked as the No. 17 tight end in the 2017 class. He has dropped significant weight this offseason and looks as lean as he has in years.

IN HIS WORDS: “I’m not ruling out official visits to other schools, but right now I’m only worried about visiting Oregon. We’ll see on the other ones.”

RIVALS REACTION: Hanging on to McKitty’s commitment will be difficult for Oregon. The Geographic hurdles are difficult to overcome, but that’s not to say it’s impossible. McKitty has to be seen as a high-risk prospect for the Ducks, as schools based in the Southeast will likely pursue his commitment until Signing Day.