Oregon had a complete overhaul in the defensive backfield in 2025. Many of the replacements are younger players. The home grown pipeline is continuing to flow, as a number of highly rated freshman have signed for 2026.
S Jett Washington
Composite Rating: 4* – 0.9824 – 36 overall – 4 S
High School: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV)
The Gatorade Player of the Year from the Las Vegas powerhouse had offers from a plethora of big names, but only took official visits at USC, Alabama, and finally Oregon. He committed to the Ducks
less than a week after being in Eugene. He was a standout on a defense that gave up just 64 points in 12 games as Bishop Gorman won a fifth straight state title. He recorded 59 tackles, 7 PBU, 4 INT and 2 FF in 2025.
S Devin Jackson
Composite Rating: 4* – 0.9714 – 63 overall – 6 S
High School: The First Academy (Orlando, FL)
If Washington is an all rounder, Jackson is an enforcer. The early enrollee between SS and FS roles his junior season and recorded 80 tackles, 7 PBU, 2 INT, 2 FR and 1 FF across 10 games. He committed to the Ducks after taking visits to LSU, Miami, Oregon, and Nebraska. Jackson is projected by 247 as a boundary safety who can play in the box or from depth.
DB Davon Benjamin
Composite Rating: 4* – 0.9768 – 47 overall – 5 S
High School: Oaks Christian School (Westlake Village, CA)
Two sport star (football and track) Benjamin split time at both corner and free safety for Oaks Christian. He even took snaps as a receiver, recording 45 tackles (5 TFL), 6 INT (3 pick sixes), 4 PBU, 2 FF and 1 FR on defense as well as 34 passes for 404 yards (11.9 YPC) and 2 TD on offense. A versatile all around athlete with the ability to play multiple positions, Benjamin would seem an ideal candidate for the the role Jadon Canady and Daylen Austin have played in 2025: a hybrid nickel defender and deep safety. He took official visits to Michigan, Texas, Oregon, and finally Washington before making the correct decision to commit to the Ducks.
S Xavier Lherisse
Composite Rating: 4* – 0.8967 – 384 overall – 33 S
High School: Eau Gallie (Melbourne, FL)
Lherisse was a commit as far back as February, but explored his options taking official visits to Penn State, Auburn, and Notre Dame in addition to Oregon. He is another versatile athlete, taking snaps not only at safety but at QB, RB, and WR while playing basketball in the off season. His season stats are not listed on his 247 profile, but late in his recruitment he had offers from a plethora of Big Ten, SEC, and ACC schools. He could be a plug-and-play athlete in the secondary wherever additional depth is needed.
CB Azel Banang
Composite Rating: 3* – 0.8767 – 772 overall – 64 CB
High School: A.C. Flora (Columbia, SC)
Banang was a late addition and the first true corner the Ducks secured a commitment from. Oregon made an offer on November 12 and his official visit was on November 24 before signing on December 3. His stock rose quickly during his senior season, prior to September his only FBS offer was Air Force but he took official visits to Wisconsin, Duke, and Georgia Tech in November. He is another versatile athlete, having played soccer in his junior year (7 goals and 6 assists in 8 games). Banang played both ways this fall recording 72 tackles (3 TFL), 12 PBU, 5 INT, 3 FF and 3 FR on defense along with 9 catches for 158 yards and 2 TD on offense. The Ducks already have a number of young corners who have seen meaningful playing time, but there is no such thing as too much depth.
CB Trevon Watson
Composite Rating: 3* – 0.8611 – 48 overall – 5 CB (JUCO)
High School: College of San Mateo (Antelope, CA)
Watson was another late add to fill out this recruiting class. He had offers from mid-majors Western Michigan, Middle Tennessee, Texas State, Boise State, and North Texas. Oregon came in at the 11th hour in late November and Watson quickly signed on. It would seem to be a tall order for him to find playing time with so many higher rated players also on the roster. Still, former JUCO Sione Laulea was seeing playing time early this season (he’s been injured recently) and Northwestern transfer Theron Johnson is exhausting his eligibility this season. There may be a role for a veteran presence in the cornerback room.
