4-star LB LaMar Winston and 4-star CB Jared Mayden commit to Oregon at The Opening

CLOSE THOSE BORDERS! The Ducks picked up another big in-state commitment this evening, as Central Catholic's La'Mar Winston committed to the Ducks on ESPN. The US Army All-American picked Oregon over Stanford and UCLA. Though the lure of Stanford was strong, Winston noted that Oregon "fits like home, it is home, I get to play in front of friends and family."

While originally listed as an athlete, Winston has made strides as a linebacker recently, and should fit nicely into Oregon's attacking defense. Winston joins his teammate Brady Breeze as an Oregon commit, and Winston's commitment means Oregon expects to sign the top three in-state players in February.

Winston was the second Oregon commit of the day, as 4-star CB Jared Mayden, one of the most offered PSAs in the country, also committed to Oregon. Mayden is out of Texas and had offers from nearly every school in the country.

While Duck fans have been a bit uneasy at times about the continuity at Oregon, it was a big factor for Mayden, who noted that Oregon's coaching staff is locked in for the next four years. And he'll be able to learn from one of the best defensive back coaches in the country, John Neal.

This is another big step for Oregon recruiting, and it seems clear that the coaching staff under Mark Helfrich has taken a big step forward in that area. Traditionally a slow starter in recruiting, the Ducks have 14 commitments already, and now sit 7th according to Scout's rankings, and 12th according to the 247 composite.

Newly Commits @MaydenII @LamarWinstonJr pic.twitter.com/qEvIRWZ5v5

— Dillon Mitchell™ (@DCM1_) July 10, 2015