Pac-12 Signing Day Recruiting Grades: Southern California Resurgence

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich reacts to a play against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

3. Oregon Ducks

Rivals Class Rank: No. 17

Given where the Oregon Ducks were the day before Signing Day and the amount of players they could have picked up, falling to No. 17 on the recruiting rankings is actually a major disappointment.

Nonetheless, this is still the best class in the Pac-12 North, and the depth of it actually addresses exactly what Oregon needed for upgrades.

At the elite level, the only physical talent the Ducks picked up was 4-star defensive end Canton Kaumatule and 4-star offensive lineman Zach Okun. However, they loaded their class up with 3-star linemen on both sides, with 15 of their 22 commitments being front seven guys, offensive linemen, or tight ends. Some of those 3-stars are bound to pan out.

Add in the fact that Oregon kept its skill players in tact with 4-star wide receivers Alex Ofodile and Kirk Merritt, 4-star running backs Malik Lovette and Taj Griffin, 4-star quarterback Travis Walker, and and elite speedster defensive back in 4-star Ugo Amadi, and this class is complete.

Perhaps this was the class the Ducks needed to get more physical in the long run, but we have to wait and see how those 3-star players pan out.

Grade: A

Next: No. 2 Ranked Pac-12 Recruiting Class