Oregon Eyes the Future: 2026 Recruiting Reset with Nation’s No. 1 Class
Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 345 pounds, Iheanacho holds 30 scholarship offers and is currently the top recruit in Maryland for the 2026 cycle. During the Under Armour All-American Game, he provided updates on his recruitment process, which now involves narrowing down his options from approximately 18 teams.
Looking ahead, Iheanacho plans to visit Texas A&M for their Junior Day on January 11. He is also considering visits to Tennessee, Oklahoma, and USC in the near future. Texas A&M has recently intensified their recruiting efforts, showing significant interest in landing the highly-rated lineman.
“Their 2026 class is shaping up well, and if I were to join, I think they could achieve even greater success,” Iheanacho commented. “They made it to the SEC Championship this year and were ranked No. 10 nationally at one point. I really like their offensive line coach, Adam Cushing, and the program’s consistent communication has kept me interested.
Currently, Iheanacho feels most comfortable with Oregon, Penn State, Maryland, Ohio State, and Alabama but is looking to build stronger relationships with schools like Miami, USC, and Tennessee.
When it comes to relationships with coaches, he highlighted Penn State’s Phil Trautwein, Oregon’s A’lique Terry, and Tennessee’s Glen Elarbee as those he communicates with most frequently and has built strong connections with.
Regarding Penn State, Iheanacho appreciates its proximity to home, allowing his family to watch him play. He respects head coach James Franklin and admires the program’s offensive line development and overall team progress.
On Oregon, he acknowledges the distance from home but is drawn to head coach Dan Lanning’s leadership, the Ducks’ winning culture, and their NFL pipeline, mentioning standout players like Penei Sewell. Iheanacho also enjoys the campus facilities and Oregon’s renowned gear.
For Tennessee, Iheanacho values their recent success in the SEC, especially in their rivalry with Alabama. He believes Tennessee is on the verge of breaking through and praises the coaching staff, including Glen Elarbee and Josh Heupel, for their approachability and commitment.
Iheanacho is planning official visits to Oregon, Penn State, Georgia, and Tennessee, with Georgia remaining a strong contender. He previously considered Georgia his top choice before visiting Oregon, and still appreciates their tough, physical style of play and player development.
As Iheanacho moves forward with his recruitment, he intends to finalize a list of 10-12 schools in February and make a commitment before his senior year in August. Florida has also entered the conversation recently, with growing interest from Iheanacho after developing a connection with their coaching staff.
Miami is another program making a push, with head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal standing out for their development of linemen and technical approach.
Additionally, Maryland remains a contender for Iheanacho, especially following the commitment of local five-star recruit Zion Elee. He acknowledges the appeal of staying close to home and potentially bringing a championship to his home state.
With the recruitment process gaining momentum, Iheanacho remains open to exploring opportunities while focusing on building strong relationships with his top choices.
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