Ducks flip five-star lineman Utu from Tennessee

Five-star offensive lineman Douglas Utu, ESPN’s No. 13 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle, flipped his commitment from Tennessee to Oregon on Thursday morning.

Utu initially committed to Tennessee on June 24 following an official visit to the Volunteers. ESPN’s fourth-ranked offensive tackle in 2025, the 6-foot-6, 285-pound blocker was part of a standout offensive line class headed to Tennessee that included No. 1 offensive tackle David Sanders before pulling his pledge.

He took a visit to USC in Week 2 before flipping his commitment to the Ducks. He is now Oregon’s second-ranked prospect in the incoming class. With Utu and No. 1 wide receiver Dakorien Moore (No. 3 in the ESPN 300), Dan Lanning appears set to land his first two five-star signees as Ducks coach when the early signing period arrives Dec. 4.

Utu is a major boost to an Oregon recruiting class that ranked No. 8 in ESPN’s latest 2025 team rankings before his commitment. Oregon now holds commitments from 12 ESPN 300 prospects, led by Moore, four-star wide receiver Dallas Wilson (No. 33 in the ESPN 300), and top athletes Trey McNutt (No. 35) and Dorian Brew (No. 45).

A four-year starter at Las Vegas power Bishop Gorman High School, Utu started at right tackle last fall when Bishop Gorman went 12-0 and claimed the Nevada 5A Division I state title. Among the nation’s most experienced offensive line prospects, Utu carries high upside at both the tackle and guard spots at the next level.

No. 8 Oregon is off to a 3-0 start and visits UCLA for its first-ever Big Ten game Saturday (11 p.m. ET, Fox).