Oregon Ducks Pac-12 Football UCLA Bruins 

Courtney: What Christian Burkhalter’s Flip to UCLA Means for Oregon

The Ducks have had three recruits decommit in the last two weeks
, 4 min read
Spanish Fort (Ala.) DE/OLB Christian Burkhalter | 247Sports via WFOD

Posted on December 12, 2020


  By Chris Courtney of WFOD for SuperWest Sports
Not totally unlike Oregon’s recruiting surge in the spring, when verbal commitments were as regular as scattered showers in the Willamette Valley, the Ducks have seen the recruiting pendulum swing in the exact opposite direction in recent weeks.

 

Cristobal

Decommitments from the program have created the most buzz on the recruiting front in recent weeks, as four-star wide receiver Kyron Ware-Hudson and three-star JUCO cornerback Jadarrius Perkins served as the first defections from what still stands as a highly impressive 2021 recruiting class for head coach Mario Cristobal and the Ducks.

However, that stellar class is beginning to lose some of its luster as the start of the early signing period draws near.

On Friday, Spanish Fort (Ala.) three-star defensive end/outside linebacker Christian Burkhalter announced his commitment to UCLA, which effectively served as his decommitment from Oregon, marking third decommit from the Ducks’ 2021 class in the last two weeks.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Burkhalter originally committed to the program in late July and was one of five linebacker recruits verbally committed to Oregon. His departure leaves four-star prospect Keith Brown and three-star recruits Terrell Tilmon, Jabril McNeill, and Brandon Buckner as the remaining linebacker commits expected to arrive on campus next year.

With Burkhalter no longer part of the fold, Oregon’s 2021 recruiting class has shrunk to 20 commits, though it still ranks fifth nationally per 247Sports’ Composite Team Rankings.

Below and over at WFOD, I analyze Burkhalter’s decommitment and how it impacts the Ducks.

The glass half-empty look

Three decommitments in two weeks. As the kids say, “You hate to see it,” and though decommitments are somewhat the nature of the beast during this time of year, it’s a frustrating reality to deal with if you’re a coach or a fan who follows recruiting 365 days a year.

For Duck fans, perhaps the most discouraging thing is the fact that Oregon is losing 2021 commitments without having a ton of slam dunk options lined up to replace the decommitted prospects. Yes, the Ducks still boast a top five recruiting class nationally, but it is one that is quickly losing steam.

Additionally, as it relates to Burkhalter, the Ducks lose the Alabama native to not an SEC or ACC program, but a fellow Pac -12 program, as UCLA is set to be the school he signs with at the start of the early signing period on December 16.

 

The glass half-full look

If you’re an Oregon fan looking for a positive spin, there are some convenient straws to grasp for. For one, Burkhalter was one of four potential players in the Ducks’ 2021 recruiting class with the ability to see action at STUD linebacker in the years to come.

Burkhalter

With Tilmon, McNeill, and Buckner still set to sign with Oregon this cycle, the loss of Burkhalter doesn’t necessarily cripple the Ducks’ ability to find players to fill that role defensively. Furthermore, Oregon has addressed the STUD position quite well in previous recruiting cycles, as the Ducks are expected to return Mase Funa, Andrew Faoliu, Isaac Townsend, Treven Ma’ae, and Jaden Navarrette over the next handful of seasons.

Burkhalter’s decommitment also frees up scholarship space for the Ducks to use on a potential 2021 prospect, a potential transfer, or for a player currently on the roster who may elect to stay for an additional year with this COVID-19 shortened season not counting against their eligibility.

 

Who are Oregon’s remaining options at STUD linebacker this cycle?

With Burkhalter turning his attention elsewhere, the Ducks lose a player who would have factored into the mix at STUD or the other outside linebacker position in Oregon’s defense. However, given the attention that has been paid at the position in recent years in terms of talent acquisition, there shouldn’t be a major impulse to fill Burkhalter’s vacated spot.

Davis

That’s somewhat reflected in the remaining known options for the Ducks at the position. Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star linebacker and current LSU verbal commit Raesjon Davis has been rumored to be an on-again, off-again candidate to flip from the Bayou Bengals to a school in the Pac-12, but Oregon isn’t mentioned as often as a potential future destination compared to suitors such as USC and Arizona State. Beyond that, it’s difficult to say which direction the Ducks might go should they look to add another linebacker.

The more likely scenario is that Oregon uses the open spot to either address another position in the 2021 class, or saves it in the event there is an attractive option in the transfer portal.

This story also appears at wholeflockofducks.com and is syndicated with permission. Follow WFOD on Twitter @_WFOD and Chris Courtney @csquared02.






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