Over the weekend, the Oregon Ducks hosted one of the biggest remaining targets on their board.
Literally.
Alabama defensive tackle pledge Jayson Jones, who tips the scales at 6-foot-6 1/2, 340 pounds, took an official visit to Eugene and came away impressed.
“Man, the people are amazing and the facilities are top-class,” he said. “They have a specific tutor building just for student-athletes. (The) trip was great. (I) had a lot of fun.”
So much fun, in fact, that the hulking interior defensive lineman no longer appears certain of his college destination.
“I feel like I have a very tough decision – so much stress and thought,” Jones said.
Oregon currently has the No. 1 recruiting class in the Pac-12 Conference and a top-10 class nationally.
That group is highlighted by elite talents on the defensive side of the ball – five-star linebackers Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell, five-star cornerback Dontae Manning and Under Armour All-American cornerback Luke Hill.
But so far, the defensive line group doesn’t have a headliner.
Fast-rising Hawaii defensive lineman Maceal Afaese has added a much-deserved fourth star on Rivals and three-star defensive ends Bradyn Swinson and Jake Shipley show promise.
Jones would give the Ducks an unquestioned headliner, as he holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan and many others.
He said he has a final commitment date in mind, as he plans to sign with his school of choice on February 5, the first day of the late signing period.
Nemec’s analysis
Oregon is trending in the right direction for Jones, and it seems the Ducks have done enough to pluck him away from Alabama.
Leaving the home-state Crimson Tide is always tough for a local kid, but Mario Cristobal has put on a full-court press and the visit was a slam dunk.
I think Oregon pulls off the late flip on traditional Signing Day next week.
-- Andrew Nemec | anemec@oregonian.com | @AndrewNemec