On Friday afternoon, some news that had been anticipated by many finally arrived for the Oregon Ducks.
Jonas Williams, a highly-touted four-star quarterback who had pledged his future to the Ducks back in August 2024, has now decided to switch his allegiance to the USC Trojans. According to 247Sports, Williams holds impressive rankings as the sixth-best quarterback and the 93rd overall player in the 2026 class. His commitment to Oregon had been in place since August 2024.
This change of heart may not come as a surprise to those following the situation closely. The Trojans have been actively pursuing Williams for several months, aiming to make him a key figure in their 2026 recruiting class. Prior to Williams’ decision, Oregon boasted the top-ranked recruiting class, while USC held the third spot nationally. Despite Williams’ departure, Oregon remains at the top, but USC has climbed to the second position.
Within Oregon’s list of commitments for 2026, Williams was the seventh-ranked prospect.
Although losing a recruit of Williams’ caliber is certainly a setback for Dan Lanning and the Ducks, it’s not an insurmountable one. Oregon still stands strong in the recruiting race for other top-tier talents, including five-star quarterbacks Jared Curtis and Ryder Lyons. Keeping an eye on how these recruitments unfold will be crucial in the coming months.
