Future Oregon Stars: Brandon Hanna

Probably the most overlooked big talent coming in this year for Oregon. Hanna played on the same team as Carson York and is one of his childhood friends. As an example, Hanna recently sent his tapes to Rivals and immediately jumped from a two-star to a three-star. (There was some talk that they liked it so much, he might've even jumped to a four-star if they'd seen it earlier and been able to evaluate it at the same time they looked at all the other linebackers.)

Hanna's six three, 225lbs., and runs a legit 4.5 forty. He brings the wood. He drills people. He's a run-stuffing force and he's gonna get his chance to compete for a starting linebacker spot early. Like, in 6 months. Oregon's finally recruited a linebacker with the size out of high school to play linebacker the way Blair Phillips did this past year as a senior.

Don't just take my word for it, watch the video of him in action.

Qualifying: Not an issue. Smart guy with good grades and scores.

Playing time: Could play this fall if he shows he can in August. My guess is he won't. Again, not because he couldn't make the plays, but because in Allioti's defense, the middle linebacker makes all the calls. for him to learn all of it, and be able to direct traffic out there for others just weeks after getting into the system is pretty hard to do. If he redshirts, expect him to play his redshirt freshman year, and be a fixture in the middle for years for the Ducks.

Hanna might be the guy I'm most excited about on the defense. At worst one of the top two or three. He's played the position he's going to play in college so the adjustment's a tiny bit easier. He brings tenacity at a position that has to have it. And he's a Northwest kid with all the right tools.