The Oregon Ducks may get some much-needed good news on the recruiting trail if an expert prediction comes true.
According to On3's Steve Wiltfong, the Ducks could make a major splash if five-star 2026 safety Jett Washington commits to Dan Lanning. However, Washington is anything but an ordinary five-star talent.
Washington has major expectations to live up to, regardless of where he commits. Washington, a standout at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the No. 1 player in the state and the fourth-best player in the nation according to 247Sports, is the nephew of the late Kobe Bryant.
The NBA legend passed away in Jan. 2020, as he was best known for his two-decade career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant's career concluded in 2016 with numerous accolades, which included five NBA titles.
Although a different sport, Washington's association with Bryant makes his next step in his football career that much bigger. Underneath the shadows of a legendary sports figure, Washington, whose offer list includes the likes of the USC Trojans and the Alabama Crimson Tide, represents how much potential he may have at the collegiate level.
Washington visited Eugene nine days ago, part of a slew of visits across the nation.
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Washington's outlook on the Ducks is simple, he told On3's Chad Simmons.
“I liked it a lot," Washington said.
Whether it works out, chances remain high that Washington's pledge winds up at an elite institution.
For now, his pick remains to be seen.