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5-Star Linebacker Tyler Atkinson Reveals Commitment Timeline, Oregon Ducks Recruiting Target

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5-Star Linebacker Tyler Atkinson Reveals Commitment Timeline, Oregon Ducks Recruiting Target


The Oregon Ducks are picking up steam on the recruiting trail, working to add one of the top prospects from the class of 2026. The Ducks are targeting five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, who was in Fort Lauderdale for the Overtime OT7 Finals.

Atkinson is the No. 8 recruit in the nation, the No. 1 linebacker, and the No. 1 player from Georgia, per the On3 Industry Rankings. The five-star recruit is down to four schools, the Oregon Ducks, Clemson Tigers, and Texas Longhorns. At the OT7 Finals, Atkinson revealed that while he does not have a specific date in mind, he is planning to make his decision in the next month.

Tyler Atkinson visits OSU the day of the Ohio State Buckeyes' 38-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in an NCAA football game at

Tyler Atkinson visits OSU the day of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 38-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in an NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. / Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Atkinson has had an official visit with each of his top four schools, visiting Oregon during the first week of June. During the OT7 Finals, Atkinson updated On3 about where he stands with each school, and why the Oregon Ducks and coach Dan Lanning are still contenders. 

“All four schools, all of my OVs I’ve been to, the relationships I built with them, it gave me a lot to think about when picking a school,” Atkinson told On3. “I’m trying to figure out which one is the best move and which one I’ll be there for the next three to four years.”

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“Coach Lanning he’s a defensive head coach,” Atkinson said about the Ducks. “He coached the position for a long time. He just knows what he wants. It just makes it great coming on campus for practice. He’s so into it coaching the defensive players. That’s so great to have your head coach involved.”

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning arrives prior to the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Ohio State Buckeye

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning arrives prior to the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since Lanning began coaching the Oregon Ducks in 2021, the defense is a consistently strong unit, continuing to improve. The defense played a major factor in the Ducks having an undefeated regular season. In 2024, Oregon’s defense allowed just 19.43 points per game due to it being difficult to score against the Ducks. The defense allowed just 16 rushing and 15 receiving touchdowns last season.

MORE: What 5-Star Recruit Immanuel Iheanacho Said About Dan Lanning, Oregon Ducks

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MORE: Denver Broncos’ Troy Franklin Assists Oregon Ducks Recruiting Of 4-Star Davon Benjamin

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The 2025 NFL Draft demonstrated a pipeline into the league that the Ducks could offer Atkinson if he were to commit to the program. Of the Ducks’ 10 draft picks in 2025, four were defensive players.

Even while losing top players to the draft, Oregon is once again expected to have a strong defense in 2025. With the defense being a highlight of the team, it is appealing to young defensive prospects such as Atkinson.

Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning during a timeout in the first quarter against the Ohio St

Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning during a timeout in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Atkinson is predicted to stay in-state and commit to the Georgia Bulldogs, but the Oregon Ducks are putting up a strong fight for the No. 1 linebacker. Despite a rough stretch, the Ducks picked up major recruiting momentum in recent weeks.

The Oregon Ducks recruiting class ranks No. 10 in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten. The team has received 10 commitments featuring one five-star, six four-star, and three three-star recruits. Atkinson could be the next five-star recruit to commit to Oregon, which would greatly boost their rankings and the team in 2026.

The one five-star commit is safety Jett Washington, the No. 1 player from Nevada. Defensively the team also received commitments from four-star recruits defensive lineman Tony Cumberland, linebacker Tristan Phillips, safety Xavier Lherisse, and three-star recruits defensive lineman Viliami Moala, and edge rusher Dutch Horisk.

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Couple married during Bad Bunny’s halftime show got engaged on the Oregon coast

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Couple married during Bad Bunny’s halftime show got engaged on the Oregon coast


The wedding that took center stage during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was not staged, the marriage scene was real. And the couple who tied the knot on national television – Thomas and Eleisa – initially got engaged on the Oregon coast!

A representative for Bad Bunny told ABC News that the couple had invited the superstar singer to their wedding, and he instead invited them to be married during his halftime performance.

But months before their unforgettable mid-game marriage and dancing with Bad Bunny during his hit “Baile Inolvidable,” the California couple got engaged in Oregon.

Portland wedding photographer Nate Meeds said Tommy emailed him in 2024 about taking a trip to the Pacific Northwest, where he planned on proposing to Elly.

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RELATED | Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX Halftime Show: Surprise cameos, setlist and message to America

Meeds, who has been a full-time wedding photographer for seven years, said they went to Ecola State Park for the photography session.

“I hid in the bushes and photographed as he popped the question. And then we went for a walk on the beach and took some pictures together,” Nate remembered. “It was just the windiest day at the Oregon coast, as we know it can be. And there was just hair going everywhere, you know, October at the coast. And it was cold, but they were the sweetest couple.”

Elly and Tommy get engaged on the Oregon coast over a year before being married during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show – Image courtesy Nate Meeds

Nate said he was hosting a Super Bowl party at his house when he recognized Tommy and Elly on stage.

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“All of a sudden a couple pops up and is getting married, and I go, ‘oh, I know those guys!’” Nate said. “I photographed their proposal like a year-and-a-half ago. And so, it was just kind of a shocking moment.”

I’m not sure I’ve ever been more surprised in my life than to see a couple that I photographed before, getting married on the biggest stage.

Nate said he reached back out to Tommy to congratulate him, and the newlywed replied with some kind words.

“Super kind, super fun. Obviously extremely excited to be getting engaged,” Nate said of his time with the couple.

A couple dressed as a bride and groom participate in the Bad Bunny performance during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

A couple dressed as a bride and groom participate in the Bad Bunny performance during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The couple tied the knot about five minutes into the performance at Levi’s Stadium, complete with an officiant declaring the couple married, and the newlyweds sharing a kiss as dancers and musicians surrounded them.

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After the couple stepped aside, Lady Gaga and Los Sobrinos, a Puerto Rican salsa band featured on Bad Bunny’s latest album and residency, performed part of “Die With a Smile.”

Bad Bunny served as a witness, signed the marriage certificate, and even included a real wedding cake, ABC reports, with the moment designed as part of the show’s broader celebration of Puerto Rican culture.



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Oregon Ducks’ Potential Path Through Newly Announced Playoff Dates

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Oregon Ducks’ Potential Path Through Newly Announced Playoff Dates


The NCAA and the College Football Playoff have announced the future dates and bowl sites for their quarterfinal and semifinal games next season.

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Many Oregon Ducks and college football fans in general are disappointed to learn that there are 38 days separating the early first-round matchups for the No. 5 through No. 12 seeds in the field. until the National Championship on Monday, Jan. 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti shakes hands with Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The first round matchups will take place from Dec. 18-19 at the higher seed’s home field. After that, here are the College Football Playoff dates for the quarterfinals and semifinal matchups. This includes a two-week break between the quarterfinals and semifinals.

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College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Dates/Locations

  • Dec. 30, 2026: Fiesta Bowl (State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona)
  • Jan 1, 2027: Rose Bowl (Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California)
  • Jan 1, 2027: Peach Bowl (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia)
  • Jan 1, 2027: Cotton Bowl (AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas)

College Football Playoff Semifinals Dates/Locations

Jan 14, 2027: Orange Bowl (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida)
Jan 15, 2027: Sugar Bowl (Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana)

MORE: 5-Star Recruit Jalen Brewster’s Oregon Timeline Amid Texas Tech Uncertainty

MORE: Oregon Ducks Add Their Next Potential Walk-On Great

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MORE: Top-10 Oregon Players With Highest NIL Valuation Signal A New Era

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Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) walks off the field after losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
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Oregon’s College Football Playoff History

In the first year of the College Football Playoff model in 2015, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) model, Oregon lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes 42-20 in the national title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Under Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Ducks beat the Florida State Seminoles 59-20 in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to get to that highest stage.

Oregon’s next appearance in the College Football Playoff would come ten years later in 2015, with the current 12-team playoff format in place. The Ducks were given the No. 1 seed, but were upset by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, 41-21.

This past season, Oregon beat the James Madison Dukes at home in front of a raucous Autzen Stadium crowd, 51-34. After that, they shut out the Big 12 Conference champion Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl, 23-0.

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The 2025 season came to a close in a blowout fashion against the eventual national champion Indiana Hoosiers behind their own Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Peach Bowl, 56-22.

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Oregon head coach Dan Lanning speaks during the head coaches’ press conference ahead of the Peach Bowl at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 8, 2026. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dan Lanning in the College Football Playoff Spotlight

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Through the big pressure College Football Playoff matchups on a neutral field under coach Dan Lanning, his teams have struggled to make a winning impact. In the last two season-ending losses against Big Ten foes for the Ducks, they have been outscored 97-43.

On the brighter side, Oregon has continuously gotten better and better under Lanning since taking the job back in 2022. He’s gone from not making the College Football Playoff field in his first two seasons to the quarterfinals in 2024 and then the semifinals in 2025. Lanning’s growth as a premier recruiter, leader, and competitor has been evident in his early beginnings with the Ducks’ program.

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Oregon women can’t overcome 23 turnovers in home loss to No. 9 Ohio State

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Oregon women can’t overcome 23 turnovers in home loss to No. 9 Ohio State


The Oregon Ducks put forth a spirited effort against No. 9 Ohio State during a women’s basketball game Sunday afternoon at Matthew Knight Arena.

But that wasn’t enough to overcome a glut of turnovers and an inability to keep the Buckeyes out of the paint during an 80-64 loss.

The Ducks matched their season high with 23 turnovers. They committed 18 in the first half and 22 through three quarters to trail 56-44.

Oregon cleaned up its turnover issues in the fourth quarter, but failed to prevent the Buckeyes’ offense from thriving inside. Ohio State scored 34 points in the paint compared to 18 for Oregon.

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“Disappointed,” Oregon coach Kelly Graves told reporters. “Obviously, in the outcome and kind of how we played … The turnovers just killed us.”

The Buckeyes specialize in forcing turnovers. They lead the conference in steals per game (12.7), forced turnovers (22.8) and turnover margin (plus-9.6).

“That’s who they are, that’s what they do …” Graves said. “They were just relentless.”

Oregon, which averages 15.1 turnovers per game, forced Ohio State into 20 turnovers. But the Buckeyes shot 51.9% from the field while the Ducks shot 36.7%.

“We just weren’t as sharp and composed as we needed to be (today),” Graves said. “I didn’t coach with poise and we didn’t play with poise. And it showed.”

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WHAT IT MEANS

The Ducks (18-8, 6-7 Big Ten Conference) moved to 1-5 against currently ranked teams, having also fallen to No. 2 UCLA, No. 8 Michigan, No. 10 Iowa and No. 12 Michigan State. Oregon won 68-61 at No. 22 Maryland last weekend.

The Ducks likely must win two of their remaining five games to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

Oregon last committed 23 turnovers this season during a double-overtime 92-87 loss to Michigan on Dec. 29.

TOP PERFORMERS

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Ari Long led the Ducks with 16 points. Sarah Rambus and Mia Long each scored 13.

Ohio State’s 6-foot-6 center Elsa Lemmila took advantage of Oregon’s lack of size by scoring a career-high 23 points. She shot 10 of 12 from the floor and grabbed nine rebounds.

Kennedy Cambridge scored 20 points, and her sister, Jaloni Cambridge, added 19.

Kennedy Cambridge made a career-best five three-pointers on seven attempts.

“She was feeling it tonight,” Graves said.

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NEXT UP

The Ducks play at No. 24 Washington (17-6, 7-5) at 5 p.m. on Feb. 15.

“We’ve got a whole week to kind of lick our wounds and heal up,” Graves said.



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