How the Oregon Ducks gotten commitments from Arizona's top 2021 football recruits

Chandler defensive end Brandon Buckner recently became the fourth Arizona high school football player among The Arizona Republic’s top eight in the Big 150 2021 recruiting class to commit to Oregon.

This is now more than a trend.

It’s a statement: Oregon owns Arizona in recruiting.

"We want to be a part of something special and just going up there with the top players from Arizona is gonna be even better," Buckner said. "We all feel like we can bring a natty (national championship) back to Eugene."

The Ducks’ future Pac-12 success could be directly tied to Arizona.

They head into the 2020 season with a former Arizona high school quarterback, Chandler Hamilton’s Tyler Shough, as the heir apparent to Justin Herbert, leading the offense.

This spring, they’ve landed commitments from four of Arizona’s top eight 2021 prospects with Gilbert Mesquite quarterback Ty Thompson (ranked No. 1 by The Republic), Scottsdale Saguaro offensive lineman Bram Walden (No. 2), Tucson Sahuaro offensive lineman Jonah Miller (No. 4) and now Buckner (No. 8).

Buckner, 6-foot-2, 236 pounds, was arguably the most valuable defensive player in Chandler’s 42-35 Open Division state championship win over Saguaro last season when he had nine tackles, 1.5 sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown.

In the nine games he played last season, he had 53 tackles, 24 for losses and 16 sacks.

“There are several high-quality football players in the state of Arizona,” Chandler coach Rick Garretson said. “Oregon has done a great job of identifying those student-athletes and staying in contact with them throughout the recruiting process.”

It’s been a virtual recruiting process during the coronavirus pandemic with college campuses closed.

Is it the Oregon brand? The coaches? The communication? The focus?

"Coach (Mario) Cristobal and the rest of the coaching staff is all about winning and competing," Buckner said. We are going to be real special and look what they are doing. Getting players from coast to coast. It’s going to be amazing."

Is Arizona State’s recruiting focus on Southern California recruits causing the Sun Devils to lose out in their own back yard?

Last week, another top-10 recruit, Saguaro receiver/defensive back Denzel Burke (ranked No. 5 in the Big 150) committed to Ohio State.

Out of the state's top 10 2021 recruits, only Saguaro defensive end Quintin Somerville (No. 3) has yet to commit. He announced on Twitter that he will make his college announcement on June 20. And, if the recruiting service 247Sports is right on predicting he'll land with Michigan, then ASU and the University of Arizona both will go 0-for-10 with the state's top 2021 recruits.

Goodyear Desert Edge defensive back Steven Ortiz Jr. (No. 6) has committed to Minnesota, Queen Creek linebacker Trey Reynolds (No. 7) has committed to Utah, Gilbert Higley quarterback Kai Millner (No. 9) committed to California, and Queen Creek safety Hunter Barth (No. 10) committed to Cal.

“I think with ASU really working hard to get the SoCal kids, it has opened up Arizona and the East Valley to others that want our kids first,” Mesquite coach Scott Hare said. “Oregon has come in and filled that void. Some of the best football in the country is played right here and I think schools like (Peoria) Centennial and Chandler have proven our boys can compete with the best from around the country. Oregon sees that and they believe Arizona kids can help them win a national title.”

Hare said that even though Mesquite is about 15 minutes away from ASU, and that Thompson led the Wildcats tot their first championship in 4A last season, he hasn’t heard from Sun Devils coach Herm Edwards.

“Not an email or phone call and we are around the corner,” Hare said. “We have a sophomore linebacker (Andrew Morris), who is 6-2, 210. UCLA, Oregon and Iowa State have already talked with me at length. New Mexico has put in an offer. Not even an inquiry from ASU.

“I respect what ASU wants to do to try and win games. It is a business and they need to win to keep their jobs. But if the question is why is Oregon killing it with Arizona kids, it is because the local school might be offering scholarships but they are not showing them the love schools like Oregon are showing them. Oregon is taking advantage and swooping in to get our kids.”

Saguaro coach Jason Mohns said the Oregon coaches, led by Cristobal, do a great job building relationships with players, coaches and families.

“They have an attractive product to sell, and they do it in a very aggressive, but genuine way,” Mohns said. “Hard for kids to say no to them.”

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.