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Oregon Ducks Predicted To Land Three Recruits On Visits: Ryder Lyons, Messiah Hampton, Davon Benjamin

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Oregon Ducks Predicted To Land Three Recruits On Visits: Ryder Lyons, Messiah Hampton, Davon Benjamin


The Oregon Ducks are hosting three top recruits of the 2026 class who have all been predicted to land with the Coach Dan Lanning’s Ducks through On3’s recruiting prediction machine. Those three players are five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons, four-star wide receiver Messiah Hampton, and four-star cornerback Davon Benjamin.

Lyons from Folsom, California, is the No. 15 overall recruit in the nation, Benjamin from Corona, California, is No. 20, and Hampton from Rochester, New York, is No. 48 (per On3).

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning talks to players prior to facing the Penn State Nittany Lions

Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning talks to players prior to facing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Lyons is the top uncommitted remaining quarterback in the country, and the Ducks are still looking for their first quarterback to commit during the 2026 recruiting cycle. Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein, along with a few other assistant coaches, went to his Northern California home recently.

“They were there for a while, almost three, four hours. We watched a bunch of tape. We watched basically every single game I’ve played. Went through it all with the offensive line coach (A’lique Terry), coach Stein, and coach (Drew) Mehringer. It was great also. Just enjoy being around them.”

– Ryder Lyons via On3

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Lyons is a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and will be taking an official visit to Provo, Utah, with the BYU Cougars after his trip to the Pacific Northwest. Due to the Mormon mission that he must take after high school, Lyons won’t start playing college football until the 2027 campaign. He doesn’t have a college decision date set quite yet.

MORE: 5-Star Recruit Jett Washington Calls Oregon Ducks ‘Home’ After Visit

MORE: Former Oregon Ducks Strength Coach Aaron Feld Leaving Miami Hurricanes, Mario Cristobal

MORE: Oregon Ducks, Dan Lanning Recruiting Photos Going Viral

Monroe wide receiver Messiah Hampton flies upfield for yards after the catch in the first half

Monroe wide receiver Messiah Hampton flies upfield for yards after the catch in the first half during their season-opening game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Monroe High School. / Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

First-year Oregon wide receivers coach Ross Douglas’ first offer he gave out with the program was to Hampton, a prospect he has been recruiting since his days with the Syracuse Orange.

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“It’s a million other kids out there that play football, and a lot of kids’ dream school is Oregon. So just to be the first one to be offered from that new receiver coach, Coach Douglas, shows I’m high up on the board. I’m really a priority here. He wants me. He wants me to play for him.”

– Messiah Hampton via On3

“He definitely knows a lot about football. He truly genuinely wants what’s best for the players and people around him. His thing is he wants everybody he comes into contact with in life, he wants to better them. So definitely somebody the Oregon fans should definitely be happy to have in their corner.”

– Messiah Hampton via On3

Hampton has already taken trips with the Penn State Nittany Lions on May 16 and the Miami Hurricanes on May 30. He’s also considering the Ohio State Buckeyes from the Big Ten Conference and will be making his decision during his visit to Oregon on June 13.

St. Bonaventure's Delon Thompson looks for an opening as Oaks Christian's Davon Benjamin tries for the tackle

St. Bonaventure’s Delon Thompson looks for an opening as Oaks Christian’s Davon Benjamin tries for the tackle during the first quarter of their Marmonte League game at Ventura College on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. St. Bonaventure won 40-28 to earn the league championship. / JOE LUMAYA/SPECIAL TO THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK

Benjamin has been to Oregon several times already on unofficial visits over the years (Sept. 23 in 2024, Apr. 17 in 2025), but will be going on this trip with several of his family members, including his own high school defensive backs coach.

“Really just trying to get a good feel. Obviously, Oregon’s been a great fit for me for a long time, but really just get more around players and fully get to ask about how they really like it and how it’s going for them. Because we know that the stability’s gonna be there for the coaches. Unless they have an NFL job or something. Stability’s gonna be there. Dan’s a great guy, how the program’s running, all that.”

– Davon Benjamin via On3

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The best uncommitted cornerback in the nation has already taken official visits with the Michigan Wolverines, Texas Longhorns, and North Carolina Tar Heels. Benjamin has one last official visit set up in Seattle with the Washington Huskies on June 20. He’s set to make his college decision on Aug. 2.



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Lake scores 16, Oregon State knocks off Montana State 67-57

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Lake scores 16, Oregon State knocks off Montana State 67-57


CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Josiah Lake’s 16 points helped Oregon State defeat Montana State 67-57 on Saturday.

Lake had eight rebounds and six assists for the Beavers (6-5). Dez White added 12 points while shooting 4 for 11, including 2 for 7 from beyond the arc while he also had five rebounds. Isaiah Sy shot 4 for 8, including 3 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points.

The Bobcats (4-7) were led in scoring by Patrick McMahon, who finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Jeremiah Davis added nine points for Montana State.

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Oregon State used a 10-2 run in the second half to build a 10-point lead at 63-53 with 2:02 left in the half before finishing off the win.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.



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How Oregon’s Defense Ranks Compared To James Madison

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How Oregon’s Defense Ranks Compared To James Madison


While the No. 5 Oregon Ducks offense has been the glue of the team’s success this season, their defense has also played a pivotal role in helping them earn a spot in the College Football Playoff for a second consecutive year.

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Entering their first-round home playoff matchup against the No. 12 James Madison Dukes, Oregon aims to capitalize on defense, which is crucial in their goal of making a run at its first National Championship in program history. Oregon enters the playoff as one of the highest-ranked at-large teams behind the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Where Does Oregon’s Defense Stack Up Against James Madison, CFP Field?

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Oregon outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei, left, and Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman bring down Washington running back Jonah Coleman as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Despite the Ducks being an overwhelming 21.5-point favorite over James Madison, according to ESPN BET Sportsbook, the first-round playoff matchup in Eugene will be a battle between two dominant defenses.

James Madison is second in the country in total defense behind Ohio State, allowing 247.6 yards per game. The Ducks’ defense is ranked No. 4 in total defense, allowing 251.6 yards per game.  

Oregon’s defense has several contributors who have led the team under defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi this season, including Matayo Uiagalelei and A’Mauri Washington up front on the defensive line. Bryce Boettcher and Teitum Tuioti have also been dominant players at linebacker this season for the Ducks.

Boettcher leads the Ducks with 103 total tackles, one interception, and one sack this season. Dillon Thieneman, Brandon Finney Jr., and Aaron Flowers have been key contributors in the secondary with four interceptions combined.

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MORE: Weather Concerns Begin For Oregon’s Playoff Game vs. James Madison

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MORE: Three Reasons Why Oregon Could Be The Most Dangerous Playoff Team

MORE: Oregon Ducks Projected to Make Program History In 2026 NFL Draft 

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When it comes to scoring defense, the Ducks are ranked No. 6 among the other 12 playoff teams, allowing 14.8 points per game.

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The five playoff teams that rank above the Ducks in scoring defense include No. 2 Ohio State (8.2), No. 1 Indiana (10.8), No. 4 Texas Tech (10.9), No. 10 Miami (13.8), and No. 8 Oklahoma (13.9). Oregon’s first round opponent, James Madison, is ranked one spot below the Ducks at No. 7 in scoring defense, allowing 15.9 points per game. 

Oregon’s Defense Strengths and Weaknesses

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Oregon outside linebacker Teitum Tuioti, left, defensive lineman A’Mauri Washington and outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei celebrate a sack by Tuioti as the Oregon Ducks host the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Nov. 14, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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If the Ducks beat James Madison in the first round of the playoff, they’ll face the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the CFP Quarterfinals at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. A potential matchup between the Red Raiders and the Ducks in the Orange Bowl could come down to whichever defense performs better. While Oregon’s pass defense has been dominant throughout the season, its rush defense could jeopardize the Ducks’ quest for a championship. 

The Ducks rank No. 8 among playoff teams in rushing defense, allowing 107.3 yards per game. Texas Tech ranks No. 1, allowing 68.5 yards per game. The Red Raiders’ rush defense’s ability to shut down Oregon’s dominant running back trio of Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison, and Dierre Hill Jr. will be one of the biggest keys in a potential Orange Bowl matchup.

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Sep 5, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images | Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

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It’ll be interesting to see how Oregon’s defense holds up against a talented James Madison offense that will have a chip on its shoulder as a massive underdog. The Dukes’ offense, led by quarterback Alonza Barnett III and star running back Wayne Knight, will challenge Oregon’s defense early on, but expect the Ducks to win convincingly.

Oregon will host James Madison at Autzen Stadium to open up the CFP on Dec. 20, with the kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT. The game broadcast will be on TNT, HBO Max, and truTV.

  • Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. 
  • If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Longtime Oregon lawmaker repeatedly broke ethics laws to secure hefty raise, commission finds

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Longtime Oregon lawmaker repeatedly broke ethics laws to secure hefty raise, commission finds


Longtime Republican lawmaker Greg Smith broke Oregon ethics laws when he used his office to try to secure a $109,000 raise for his work as executive director of an eastern Oregon economic development agency, then maneuvered to get a $66,000 pay hike and make it retroactive, the Oregon ethics commission concluded Friday.

In a unanimous vote, commissioners endorsed an investigator’s finding that Smith, the longtime executive director of the federally funded Columbia Development Authority, repeatedly failed to declare a conflict of interest and used the power of his office for personal financial gain.

Smith got his salary raised from $129,000 to $195,000 without his bosses’ authorization and directed the employee in charge of his agency’s finances that the pay hike be made retroactive to April 2024, the investigator found. When the development authority board learned of Smith’s misrepresentations, it voted in September of that year to rescind the raise, records show. But he has not repaid it, ethics commission investigator Casey Fenstermacher wrote in her report dated Thursday.

Smith now has the option to request a hearing on his case before an administrative law judge or to work with the ethics agency to reach a settlement, including any fine or other punishment. He did not take part in Friday’s hearing nor did he respond to a request for comment left with his legislative chief of staff Friday afternoon.

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Staffers at the Oregon Government Ethics Commission will formally propose a settlement with Smith, including financial penalties, by early January, commission director Susan Myers told The Oregonian/OregonLive Friday. The maximum fine her agency can propose is $10,000, she said, but the nine-member state ethics commission could vote to authorize a higher penalty.

The ethics commission did just that in 2018 when it rejected an agency proposal to fine former Gov. John Kitzhaber $1,000 for ​​ethics violations that allowed his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes, to secure lucrative consulting contracts during her time as first lady. Commissioners instead proposed a $50,000 fine and ultimately struck a deal with the four-term governor to pay $25,000.

Smith, who holds a key role on the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee, was elected in 2024 to a 13th term in the House, making him its longest serving member.

The ethics commission dinged him earlier this year for failing to disclose a key client of his consulting business on his required annual financial disclosure form. That client, Harney County, had paid him $7,000 a month to represent its interests at the Legislature.

In that case, Smith acknowledged the omission in his filing and later amended it. The commission closed that case, as it has other cases or incomplete financial filings, by issuing Smith a formal letter of education, Myers said.

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According to the Salem Reporter, Smith is also under investigation in two other state ethics proceedings. Investigators are examining whether Smith broke the law when he claimed pay for working for the development authority at the same time he was performing private consulting work or working as a state legislator, the Salem newsroom reported.

The Columbia Development Authority, based in Boardman, is made up of several eastern Oregon governmental entities including the Port of Morrow and is in charge of redeveloping a former military base.

Once the ethics commission formally notifies Smith of its proposed settlement and his right to request a hearing, he will have 21 days to decide which option to pursue, Myers said. Nearly 99% of officials presented with that option choose to pursue a settlement, she said.

The commission normally takes into account both aggravating factors, such as the size of the financial windfall and whether the official repeatedly broke the law, and mitigating factors, such as whether an official acted on the advice of a government lawyer or quickly paid restitution, Myers said.



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