Five-star athlete Brandon Arrington is set to announce his commitment on July 5, and a month out, the Oregon Ducks have begun a major push. Arrington, who is likely to play cornerback at the next level, made a significant change to his official visit schedule, moving up his trip to Eugene to this weekend.
Arrington, a priority target for Kalen DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, was originally planning a trip to College Station this weekend, but moved up his Oregon OV from June 20. The Spring Valley, California product has narrowed down his finalists to include Alabama, Oregon, Penn State, Texas A&M, USC, and Washington, and will make the trip to Tuscaloosa next weekend, headlining a group of seven recruits on June 13.
Oregon threatens to take the lead for five-star Brandon Arrington
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete is the 10th-ranked player in the country according to 247Sports Composite rankings, so he’s obviously a crucial target for Alabama, but the Crimson Tide have built enough depth at cornerback throughout the last two recruiting classes to withstand a loss, especially if it’s to the Ducks. Should Arrington choose another program, Alabama has to hope it’s a team outside of the SEC, which appears likely after Arrington bumped back his official visit with Texas A&M.
Dan Lanning, DeBoer’s old rival in the Pacific Northwest and a familiar foe of Alabama from his time on Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia, has proven himself to be one of the country’s elite recruiters, but like Alabama, his 2026 class is underwhelming so far. The Ducks have landed just seven commitments in the 2026 cycle with a class that ranks 31st in the country despite being headlined by 6-foot-7 five-star athlete Kendre Harrison.
Alabama’s top 2026 commit remains five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds, and with cornerback Zyan Gibson representing the second-highest ranked player of DeBoer’s five 2026 commitments, it could be tough to add Arrington to a crowded cornerback room. In 2025, DeBoer added five-star corner Dijon Lee Jr. and four-star Chuck McDonald to his program. Both players could be in line for playing time as true freshmen this season.
There is a slim chance that Arrington could play both ways, featuring as a wide receiver and defensive back, and a player with his elite track speed is always worth keeping an eye on, but don’t expect a Travis Hunter trajectory wherever Arrington ultimately ends up.
A lot can change with a month until his commitment date, but all signs point to Arrington heading to the Big Ten, unless DeBoer and his staff can rekindle their old rivalry with Lanning to sway the five-star talent next weekend in Tuscaloosa.