The Oregon Ducks have been active on the recruiting trail, hosting numerous elite prospects on official visits in recent weeks, with more visits scheduled throughout the summer. One of the most high-profile targets in their sights is five-star safety Jireh Edwards, who already made an unofficial visit to Eugene earlier this spring and is slated for an official visit on June 19. Edwards, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound standout from St. Francis Academy, is ranked as the No. 23 overall player and the No. 2 safety in the 2025 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. His connection to Oregon runs deeper than a single visit—he is a former teammate of Oregon cornerback Ify Obidegwu, who is projected to be a starter next season and is anticipated to have a breakout year.
Despite the Ducks’ strong interest and Edwards’ personal ties to Eugene, there was a potentially significant development midweek. On3’s national recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong submitted a prediction that Edwards will commit to the Alabama Crimson Tide, indicating that the SEC powerhouse may now be in the driver’s seat for his commitment. While this doesn’t mean the race is over, it certainly casts doubt on Oregon’s ability to land the five-star safety without a strong push during his upcoming official visit.
In addition to his planned trip to Oregon, Edwards is also scheduled to officially visit Texas A\&M before making his final decision. His commitment is set to be announced on July 5, giving the Ducks just a short window to sway him back into their favor. The upcoming visit to Eugene could prove critical if the Ducks want to turn the tide—pun intended—away from Alabama and back toward the Pac-12-bound powerhouse.
Still, Oregon is not putting all of its eggs in one basket. The coaching staff continues to work diligently on securing other elite prospects at the safety position. Over the past weekend, the Ducks hosted another five-star safety, Jett Washington, who came away impressed with what the program had to offer. According to multiple reports, Oregon is in a strong position following his visit, suggesting that if Edwards ultimately chooses Alabama, the Ducks have a viable backup plan already in motion.
With the summer shaping up to be a pivotal stretch in recruiting, Oregon’s staff remains in aggressive pursuit of defensive talent. While losing Edwards would be a disappointment, the Ducks’ continued ability to bring top-tier talent to campus and remain in the mix for high-level prospects like Washington shows that the program remains an elite destination for defensive backs.
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