A power-packed season from Oregon in this season is loading. The Ducks’ roster looks impeccable, and Dan Lanning is reaching new highs in CFB recruiting. They have one of the top five classes so far in both 2025 and 2026. Lanning has a slew of talent lined up on that clipboard, waiting to see game action during their time at the program. However, one of his 4-star recruits is coming clean about his initial feelings about Oregon, which stands in contrast to the way he has fared so far in the program. Hint: His brother played for rivals Oregon State.

Star defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei, DJ Uiagalelei’s brother, was a part of CFB chatter much before his arrival, courtesy of his older brother, DJ Uiagalelei. When he was recruited, the DE was the No. 6 in that position and ultimately the No. 8 prospect. CFB biggies Ohio State, Alabama, USC, and many more were in contention to land the star talent, who can play both sides of the ball. Offensively, Uiagalelei has a total of 510 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs. On the other side of the ball, he scored 96 total tackles and 12.5 total sacks. So Dan Lanning being able to recruit him was a huge victory for the program.

However, Matayo Uiagalelei didn’t have Oregon as his favorite during the initial phase of his recruitment. He said in a May 16 episode of Ducks of a Feather, about his first impression of college recruiting in general. “I think there’s a lot of like flash and a lot of glamour.  Really a lot of stuff; I feel like it really don’t matter. […] [The] biggest thing for me was like, ‘Who was going to develop me the most?’” Uiagalelei said. He also attended some visits when his brother was being recruited by Dan Lanning. Back then, Matayo Uiagalelei said, “It’s all about Nike. It’s all about like, all this. It’s all about, like the facility.”

Now, Oregon’s facilities are a reason why players are attracted to Oregon, and the school is already busy constructing one worth millions. And yet, Uiagalelei wasn’t moved. “It’s not like a negative thing, but […] at least for me and my brother, that wasn’t the core,” he said. Also, he recounted a funny encounter whose outcome could have cost Lanning Matayo Uiagalelei’s commitment. “I remember I don’t think I wanted to come on a visit. My dad was like ‘Nah, you should just go man’.”

That’s also when Oregon started growing on him. “I just kind of see the culture […] they’re trying to build right? But I feel like that’s where we’re at right now. Yeah, I’m like, ‘Okay, like this is a real possibility’.” And the rest is history. Within a stellar Oregon team last season, Uiagalelei led the Big 10 conference in sacks, at 10.5. This season, he will return as a leader amongst defensive playmakers, making up for the losses of Jordan Burch and Jeffrey Bassa to the draft. Along with that, he also has a strong message for the HC about the value he brings to the table.

Matayo Uiagalelei sends a powerful message to Dan Lanning

That 10.5 figure is a huge achievement for Uiagalelei, and he tried to downplay it to his best. “I don’t want to count,” he told the host. But ultimately, he caved modestly. “I’m trying to affect every place. I guess, if you call it stat-chasing, I’m stat-chasing,” he said. “I’m not gonna put my team in jeopardy.” To add more backing to that statement, the DE also racked up 38 tackles, 2 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles in 2024.

“[One of the biggest things I learned from my freshman year, [is] like, just pass rush,” Uiagalelei said. “They’re valuable, you know. You don’t get too many straight rushes or like, you know, just rushes where you can just let it go.” Uiagalelei showed his prowess in Oregon’s biggest games and scored 5 TFLs across the ones against OSU, Illinois, and Washington.

Matayo Uiagalelei’s main goal behind choosing his college was always to “make it to the NFL.” And with the way he’s progressing at Oregon, it looks like he’s ready to score big at the 2026 draft, as some experts have already predicted. The pass-rusher, who comes from the powerful St. John Bosco school, went from not liking Oregon to becoming a key player in its 2025 defense. This season, too, fans are slated to witness some more of his skills and hopefully publish more impressive stats!