Richard Wesley, Elite 2026 Defensive End, announces Commitment to Oregon Ducks
Chatsworth, California, native Richard Wesley, a coveted five-star defensive end and No. 18 overall prospect in the ESPN 300 for the 2026 class, has committed to the University of Oregon. The announcement was made Saturday night, bolstering the Ducks’ recruiting class.
Wesley Chooses Oregon Over National Powerhouses
Wesley, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 245 pounds, is ranked as ESPN’s No.3 defensive end in the 2026 cycle. He selected Oregon over a formidable list of contenders,including Ohio State,Tennessee,Texas,Texas A&M,and USC,all of which he visited this spring.
A Rising Star emerges
After reclassifying from the 2027 class in March, wesley quickly established himself as a top defensive prospect. His stellar freshman season at Sierra Canyon in 2023 saw him record 55 tackles and 10 sacks. He followed that performance with 44 tackles, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles as a sophomore last fall.
Ducks Land Another Five-Star Recruit
Wesley is the second five-star recruit to commit to Oregon in this cycle, joining Kendre’ Harrison, ESPN’s top-ranked tight end prospect. He is now the highest-rated defensive player in Oregon’s 2026 class, which includes other ESPN 300 recruits such as defensive tackle Tony Cumberland and Viliami Moala, as well as three-star prospects Xavier Lherisse, Dutch Horisk, and Tristan Phillips.
Oregon’s Recruiting Class Undergoes Changes
Wesley’s commitment follows several decommitments from Oregon’s 2026 class in recent months, including ESPN 300 prospects Kodi Greene, Tomuhini Topui, Bott Multitalo, and Jonas Williams.
Lanning’s Relentless Pursuit Pays Off
Oregon’s coaching staff, led by head coach Dan Lanning and defensive line coach Tony Tuioti, heavily pursued Wesley. Following a visit to Oregon’s spring game on April 27, Wesley stated that the visit proved the coaching staff’s seriousness about his recruitment.
National Impact on 2026 Defensive End Recruiting
Wesley’s commitment marks the fourth among ESPN’s top 10 defensive ends in the 2026 class. Zion Elee remains committed to Maryland, while Rodney Dunham is committed to Notre Dame, and Jordan Carter to Texas A&M.
What level of prior football recruiting knowledge would a reader likely need to fully understand the significance of Wesley’s commitment (e.g., understanding what a “five-star recruit” means, the impact of decommitments, or the importance of rankings like ESPN 300)?
Richard Wesley, Elite 2026 Defensive End, announces Commitment to oregon Ducks
Chatsworth, California, native Richard Wesley, a coveted five-star defensive end and No. 18 overall prospect in the ESPN 300 for the 2026 class, has committed to the university of Oregon. The announcement was made Saturday night, bolstering the Ducks’ recruiting class.
Wesley Chooses Oregon Over National Powerhouses
Wesley, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 245 pounds, is ranked as ESPN’s no.3 defensive end in the 2026 cycle. He selected Oregon over a formidable list of contenders,including ohio State,Tennessee,Texas,Texas A&M,and USC,all of which he visited this spring.
A Rising Star emerges
After reclassifying from the 2027 class in March, wesley quickly established himself as a top defensive prospect. His stellar freshman season at Sierra Canyon in 2023 saw him record 55 tackles and 10 sacks. He followed that performance wiht 44 tackles, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles as a sophomore last fall.
Ducks Land Another Five-Star Recruit
Wesley is the second five-star recruit to commit to Oregon in this cycle, joining Kendre’ Harrison, ESPN’s top-ranked tight end prospect.He is now the highest-rated defensive player in Oregon’s 2026 class, which includes other ESPN 300 recruits such as defensive tackle tony Cumberland and Viliami Moala, as well as three-star prospects Xavier Lherisse, Dutch Horisk, and Tristan Phillips.
Oregon’s Recruiting Class Undergoes Changes
Wesley’s commitment follows several decommitments from Oregon’s 2026 class in recent months, including ESPN 300 prospects Kodi Greene, Tomuhini Topui, Bott Multitalo, and Jonas Williams.
Lanning’s Relentless Pursuit pays Off
Oregon’s coaching staff, led by head coach Dan Lanning and defensive line coach Tony Tuioti, heavily pursued Wesley. Following a visit to Oregon’s spring game on April 27, Wesley stated that the visit proved the coaching staff’s seriousness about his recruitment.
National Impact on 2026 Defensive End Recruiting
Wesley’s commitment marks the fourth among ESPN’s top 10 defensive ends in the 2026 class. Zion Elee remains committed to Maryland, while Rodney Dunham is committed to Notre Dame, and Jordan Carter to Texas A&M.
Q&A: Unpacking Richard wesley’s Commitment to Oregon
Q: Who is Richard Wesley?
A: Richard Wesley is a highly-rated, five-star defensive end in the 2026 class, ranked No. 18 overall by ESPN and No. 3 at his position. He’s known for his size (6’5″, 245lbs) and impressive stats from Sierra Canyon High School.
Q: Why is this commitment meaningful for Oregon?
A: Wesley’s commitment is huge as he’s a top-tier recruit,making him the second five-star recruit in Oregon’s 2026 class. He’s also the highest-rated defensive player currently committed, boosting the overall strength of their recruiting class.
Q: What factors influenced wesley’s decision?
A: Wesley chose Oregon over powerhouses like Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas, texas A&M, and USC. His visit to Oregon’s spring game, and the coaching staff’s clear interest, played a crucial role in his decision. the relationship built with coach Lanning and Coach Tuioti also would have been a key factor in the commitment.
Q: How did Wesley’s high school career shape up?
A: After reclassifying from the 2027 class, Wesley quickly made a name for himself. His freshman season at Sierra Canyon in 2023 included 55 tackles and 10 sacks. As a sophomore, he continued his impressive performance, with 44 tackles, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles.
Q: How does Wesley’s commitment affect the national recruiting scene?
A: Wesley’s commitment is the fourth among ESPN’s top 10 defensive ends in the 2026 class. This decision shapes the landscape of defensive end recruiting, proving the importance of early commitments.
Richard Wesley’s commitment is a major win for Oregon, highlighting the impact of dedicated recruiting and coaching. To stay updated on recruiting news and player developments, keep an eye on the latest updates.
