The current Oregon coaching staff doesn't chase stars. Here's what they're looking for instead

 Last night at the 7th annual Saturday Night Live event, Dan Lanning and the Oregon coaches hosted over a hundred high school recruits, and the most sought after among those is Williams Nwaneri of Lees Summit North High School in Lees Summit, Missouri.

Nwaneri is 6-6, 260, an UnderArmour All-American. On3Sports rates him the top prep prospect in the country, and nearly every recruiting service places him as the nation's best defensive lineman. He's scheduled to announce his college decision on August 7th.

He's a 5-star player, but that's not why the Ducks want him. Instead, Williams possesses three qualities that are essential to the type of team Lanning wants to build in Eugene:

1. Elite athleticism

2. Love of football

3. Leadership and extreme dude excellence

What is "extreme dude excellence?" Thank you for asking. It's a quality of drive, ability and determination that makes an athlete exceptional, one that elevates all the people around him. That's the common thread that runs through all the players DSH has profiled this summer, a blend of work ethic and ability that makes Jordan Burch, Matayo Uiagalelei, Ashton Cozart, Blake Purchase and all the others so incredibly special.

Here are a couple more examples. First, Xadavien Sims, a 2024 Oregon commit at Edge Rusher/linebacker: 

Up Da SCO 🦆

4⭐️ @XadavienS Growing & Moving This Summer. Weighing 285-287 #C4Family #RecruitTEXOMA #WorkDontLie pic.twitter.com/OQy9iLo8nI

— Sean Cooper (@seancooper_C4) July 28, 2023

Next, Brayden Platt, a 2024 inside linebacker prospect from Yelm, Washington. He announces his college decision on September 4th, and he's high on Oregon's list.

Team FSP’s Brayden Platt brought home a National Championship last week!!
..@braydenplatt2
pic.twitter.com/j2x2LJ3xJu

— Ford Sports Performance (@gofordsports) June 30, 2023

After a Plyo workout earlier today I was still able to do some backflips in the mat room.
-
-
-@BrandonHuffman @RealMG96 @adamgorney @TFordFSP @CoachRonquillo pic.twitter.com/tXTdLuJpVb

— Brayden Platt (@braydenplatt2) July 28, 2023

When Dan Lanning spoke at his introductory press conference in December 2021 he said, "Lastly, I want everyone to know one thing, don’t be afraid to chase your dream. There isn’t a dream too big. If you have a hunger and a passion to do something, don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it. In fact, let that fuel you."

The Ducks don't chase stars. They chase dreamers with hunger and passion. That's why the next few seasons are going to be such a remarkable story.