New offensive and defensive line recruits are emerging for Oregon

While Oregon's recruiting class remains small, it has many high quality players. Notably absent from the class, however, are any defensive line commitments. That may be about to change as Oregon is actively pursuing several players to fill the void.

One of those players is Kylie Fitts, who recently de-committed from USC after they withdrew his early enrollment offer. Fitts is a 6'4, 260 lbs defensive end, universally considered a four star player, and an Army All-American. UCLA and Notre Dame may be the frontrunners now that USC is out but Fitts has said that he is wide open and considering multiple visits to other schools. Oregon is one of the schools that Fitts has been in contact with.

Another interesting recruit is junior college transfer Nic Purcell, a 6'6, 300 lbs monster tackle who plays for Golden West Junior College in Huntington Beach. Purcell is the ultimate project, having played only a couple years of organized football. He is originally from New Zealand and has quite an interesting backstory. The big question is whether he will be deemed eligible by the NCAA. Purcell played in two games of football with a "social club" in New Zealand before moving to the United States with his wife to attend college. The NCAA ruled that his college football eligibility clock began when he played in those two games in New Zealand and that his eligibility has since expired. Oregon is currently helping him appeal the ruling but it's anyone's guess how the always unpredictable NCAA will rule. The story linked above and this one here are worth the read and further explain Purcell's eligibility issues. If he is granted eligibility he has said that Oregon would immediately become his frontrunner.

Finally, Oregon has been tied to two more offensive tackles who are committed to other schools, Maurice Porter (Texas Tech) and Cameron Hunt (Cal). Maurice Porter is 6'6, 280 lbs, and is considered a four star prospect and #14 tackle in the country by 247sports. A native of Missouri City, Texas, Porter opened up his recruitment after the departure of Tommy Tuberville. He is planning to visit Eugene on January 25th.

Cameron Hunt is a 6'4 267 lbs tackle who re-opened his recruitment after Jeff Tedford was fired at Cal. A four star recruit according to most recruiting services, he has said very complimentary things about the way Oregon runs their offense. He plans to visit the Ducks on January 18th.