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The Oregon Ducks currently have the No. 1-ranked college football program in the country as we head into the postseason. And they helped ensure they continue that level of success on Wednesday by putting together one of the top 2025 recruiting classes in the country according to 247Sports.
The Ducks signed a quartet of five-star players in their fourth-ranked class, including a signing day flip from cornerback Na’eem Offord, who had been committed to Ohio State since February. Offord leaving the Buckeyes wasn’t a complete shock. His name had been linked with several other programs in recent weeks.
But the reason why he chose the Ducks shows why they’re heavy favorites to win a national championship in the coming years.
Nike Founder And Oregon Alum Phil Knight Financed Na’eem Offord Flip
Nike founder Phil Knight is an Oregon graduate. He ran track for the Ducks from 1957-1959 before founding his sportswear empire. These days, Knight is worth a reported 35.4 million, and the 86-year-old is reportedly willing to spend whatever it takes to ensure he’s alive to see Oregon win its first football national championship in program history.
That apparently includes telling Offord that he’d make him a Nike shoe should he flip from the Buckeyes to the Ducks.
“He played a big role, like a huge, big role,” Offord told CBS Sports of Knight. “He’s actually waiting on me to get up there, he’s got a lot of stuff planned for me. He’s gonna help me make my shoe.”
Oregon also signed five-star wide receivers Dakorien Moore and Dallas Wilson as well as five-star corner Brandon Finney to its loaded class. Additionally, four-star quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele flipped from Cal to the Ducks on signing day.
Knight has always played a big role in the Oregon program. But with the addition of NIL, Knight’s role is bigger than ever.