Frank Fanelli

A year ago, the Oregon Ducks football program had missed out on U.S. Army All-American defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu and four-star legacy cornerback Elijah Molden, placing their in-state recruiting influence at an all-time low. Now, as we fast forward 12 months, and Willie Taggart and his coaching staff have flipped that narrative on its ear.

Already having secured commitments from four quality local talents in Tigard athlete Braden Lenzy, Lake Oswego offensive lineman Dawson Jaramillo, Sprague tight end/defensive end Teagan Quitoriano and Madison linebacker M.J. Cunningham, Oregon was at it again Monday, earning the pledge of Central Catholic four-star defensive end/outside linebacker Eli’jah Winston.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound freakish athlete, who is the younger brother of Oregon sophomore linebacker La’Mar Winston, announced his commitment via Twitter:

He chose the Ducks over fellow finalists Cal, UCLA, and Utah, as well as offers from Colorado, Notre Dame, Oregon State and Washington State. When healthy, Winston has shown flashes of being one of the most dominant pass-rushers on the West Coast, as was clearly on display in his eye-opening performance against Jesuit in a 28-24 victory this season.

The dynamic pass-rusher is the 25th pledge and fifth defensive end or outside linebacker in Oregon’s class of 2018, joining defensive ends Malcolm Lamar and Jonathan King and outside linebackers Adrian Jackson and Andrew Johnson. With Winston in the fold, Oregon will focus its in-state recruiting effort on Crescent Valley’s Talanoa Hufanga, the nation’s No. 1 athlete, and South Medford’s Chase Cota, a U.S. Army All-American wide receiver.