Oregon
Three predictions: Alabama, USC, Oregon
Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney has three predictions on Xavier Griffin’s future destination, USC’s recruiting and Oregon’s quarterback recruiting after some misses.
MORE GORNEY: Recruiting Rumor Mill
1. XAVIER GRIFFIN WILL CHOOSE ALABAMA
Griffin and USC parted ways after he was informed to either stay committed to the Trojans and stop taking visits or reopen things if he wanted to stay on the road.
The four-star linebacker from Gainesville, Ga., opted for the latter and now he’s back on the market with Ohio State, Alabama, Texas and Florida State as the frontrunners.
Texas and Ohio State have been coming on strong but there are numerous reasons why my prediction is that Griffin ends up in Tuscaloosa.
He’s an Alabama legacy. He met with the Alabama coaches twice recently – and some of that prompted his de-commitment from USC. It’s a manageable four hours away.
There is one caveat: If Georgia gets much more seriously involved then the Bulldogs could have some significant pull here. There’s a chance the four-star linebacker makes it to Athens for the Scavenger Hunt this weekend but there is a lot of family stuff going on as well so his absence from that event could be telling as well.
2. USC RECRUITING WILL BE JUST FINE
Rivals.com
Over the last couple weeks, USC had de-commitments from four-star receiver Kohen Brown and four-star linebacker Xavier Griffin.
It looked like the start of a repeat from the 2025 class when the Trojans landed all these out-of-region stars only to see numerous five-stars and four-star prospects back off their pledge later in recruiting.
This is not the same case.
The word coming down is that Griffin and Brown wanted to take other visits and USC is just not going to play that game right now. Maybe it’s a reaction to last year’s collapse especially from players in the Southeast or maybe the Trojans have a different recruiting philosophy under new general manager Chad Bowden, but this does not look like the same circumstances.
Even with the losses of Griffin and Brown, two very talented prospects, USC still has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country and has at least 10 more commitments than any other team in the country.
Only 10 pledges are from out-of-state. That’s a much different mix of recruits from last recruiting cycle so the Trojans should be just fine moving forward, even if there are some inevitable departures to come.
3. OREGON WILL BENEFIT FROM RECENT QB LOSSES
Oregon lost four-star quarterback Jonas Williams to USC. The Ducks missed on five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, who picked Georgia over Oregon in recent days.
The Big Ten powerhouse might still end up winning in the end, especially since this opens a nice pathway to focus on landing five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons.
Over the last few days, Oregon offered four-star quarterback Matt Ponatoski from Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller but let’s not forget Lyons is basically a 2027 prospect since he’s taking a one-year Mormon mission.
So offering Ponatoski helps both sides – Oregon gets a quarterback but he’s not someone that would necessarily scare off Lyons once he gets to Eugene.
Recently, Oregon, Michigan and BYU have emerged as the leaders for the five-star quarterback. USC cannot be counted out while Ole Miss, Ohio State and others are involved.
The Ducks have had some painful recruiting losses recently – Curtis, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Jackson Cantwell. But Lyons would be a huge addition and with Williams and Curtis going elsewhere, Oregon might actually win out in the end.
Oregon
July 18 Morning Media Release-Akawa Butte, Brewer, and Pilot Fires | Central Oregon Fire Information
Firefighters hold the line through the night on Akawa Butte, Brewer and Pilot Fires in Central Oregon
(Sisters, OR) – Crews worked through the night on the Akawa Butte, Brewer and Pilot Fires. Crews were able to hold all the lines that were built during the day shift. Reconnaissance and scouting operations identified additional access points for more direct access to the fire line and will continue through today.
Numerous resources are in transit and are expected to arrive beginning later today. A full suppression effort is underway and the number one priority is ensuring firefighters and public safety and protecting resources while utilizing tactics to reach the highest probability of success. All fires remain 0% contained.
Akawa Butte Fire
There were some slop overs on the north and northeast edge of the fire later in the day yesterday. Night shift crews worked to reinforce the established dozer line around the slop overs and along the north and northwest parts of the fire. Night crews worked to identify access points along the east and southeast parts of the fire. This will make accessing the fire line for crews and heavy equipment easier. The fire is burning into the Flat Fire burn scar in the southeast which is slowing progression in that area. All fire lines held overnight.
Brewer Fire
There was significant growth on the fire yesterday as a result of hot, dry weather and gusty winds. Overnight, firefighters worked to identify additional access points to the northeast points of the fire. They also worked to strengthen dozer lines to provide a more direct line on the fire. There was slop over on the north edge of the fire but all fire lines held overnight. The heel of the fire is in the northeast corner of the fire with the main growth of the fire to the southeast due to the wind direction in the afternoons.
Pilot Fire
One engine patrolled the fire lines overnight, looking for any spot fires or slop over around the fire lines. The fire is dozer lined on three sides, with natural barriers lining the north.
Weather and Fire Behavior
Conditions will continue to be hot and dry. Wind will be light this morning but are expected to increase this afternoon and will predominantly come from the north and northwest. Fire managers expect challenging, wind‑driven fire activity later in the day.
Evacuations
Akawa Butte Fire is in Jefferson and Deschutes County.
The Brewer Fire is in Crook and Jefferson Counties.
The Pilot Fire is in Crook County.
County sheriff’s offices issue evacuation orders. The most current evacuation information is available at:
Crook County: https://www.facebook.com/CrookCountySheriff
Deschutes County: https://www.facebook.com/DeschutesCountySheriff/
Jefferson County: https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff/
Closures
BLM has issued closures for lands in and near the fires. See below for current information:
BLM Closures and Restrictions: https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
Air Quality Information
Air quality updates: https://fire.airnow.gov/
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As thousands of fans pack Chris Stapleton’s concert at Providence Park on Friday night, businesses in Goose Hollow are hoping the excitement continues long after the music ends.
Read more: https://www.koin.com/positivelyportland/chris-stapleton-concert-brings-thousands-of-fans-boost-for-goose-hollow-businesses/
UMATILLA COUNTY, Ore. — A rollover crash on Interstate 84 in Umatilla County sent four people to the hospital Thursday morning, including three passengers who were later transferred for advanced medical care, according to Oregon State Police.
OSP said troopers responded at 8:27 a.m. Thursday, July 16, to a single-vehicle serious injury crash on I-84 eastbound near milepost 207.
Investigators said a gray Dodge Durango driven by Cullen Michael Derr, 38, of Battle Ground, Wash., was eastbound while towing a custom-built utility trailer when, for an unknown reason, it left the roadway. The vehicle rolled multiple times and caught fire, OSP said.
Police said three occupants were ejected during the crash: a 24-year-old woman, a 15-year-old male and a 9-month-old male infant. OSP said all four occupants, including Derr, were taken to a local hospital, and the three passengers were later transferred to hospitals in Oregon and Washington because of the severity of their injuries.
Derr was arrested for DUII, reckless driving, reckless endangering another person (three counts) and third-degree assault (three counts), and was lodged at the Umatilla County Jail, OSP said.
Interstate 84 was impacted for about one hour during the on-scene investigation. OSP said it was assisted by the Pendleton Police Department, Pendleton Fire & Ambulance Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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