4-Star Oregon Commit Reveals Dan Lanning’s 5-Word Message That Sealed His College Football Future Amid USC’s Poaching Agenda

Dan Lanning’s Oregon team is riding momentum after a historic 2024 season and a historic 2025 NFL Draft. The Ducks went undefeated in the 2024 regular season, finished No. 1 nationally, and won a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff as Big Ten Conference champions. Although Ohio State defeated them in the postseason, everyone regarded the year as a significant improvement for the program. Lanning’s focus on developing players has not only contributed to on-field success but also to a record-breaking number of NFL draft choices, with 10 Ducks drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, a school record. This on-field momentum and program stability have carried over into real gains for the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Oregon’s 2026 class ranks No. 5 nationally and No. 3 within the Big Ten and has eight commitments to date, including two five-stars and four four-stars. Of note, the Ducks recently added five-star defensive end Richard Wesley, the No. 18 overall 2026 ESPN 300 prospect, who selected Oregon over multiple national powers. The class also boasts blue-chip prospects such as five-star tight end Kendre Harrison and four-star linebacker Tristan Phillips, emphasizing the Ducks’ strength in recruiting elite players.

Phillips’ pledge was a significant pick-up for Oregon. The four-star Ventura, California, linebacker made his pledge live on 247Sports, ranking as one of the best defensive pledges in the class. Projected as the No. 13 linebacker and No. 205 overall recruit, he has already taken on a leadership role by returning to Eugene to assist in recruiting other top recruits during the program’s Scavenger Hunt visit weekend.

In December, before the holiday break, the Ducks welcomed Tristan Phillips, and you could tell he’s already invested in the Ducks’ culture. But before Tristan committed, there had been a lot of commotion regarding his recruitment. That’s where Dan Lanning’s process truly shines with his 5-word wisdom. On the May 15 Locked on Ducks show, Tristan Phillips was asked, “Coach Lanning came to you and said, ‘Don’t make an emotional decision.’ Were you able to take Coach Lanning’s advice?”

Phillips’ reply was spot on. “To be honest, I think I did a really good job of taking Coach Lanning’s advice and kind of staying where my feet are and staying calm.” He continues, I’m not the type of guy who’s going to be like ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to commit.’ And then a couple weeks later, be like ‘Oh, I don’t know if I made the right decision, I think I might need to pull out of it’.”

Dan Lanning gave Tristan some simple but powerful advice: keep calm, don’t rush, and make sure you’re choosing the right place for you, not just the one everyone else is running behind. Lanning’s message was all about blocking out distractions and focusing on what matters most for your journey. He wanted Tristan to feel confident and at peace with his choice, not just swept up in the moment.

“So, I definitely think I did a great job of taking Coach Lanning’s advice and just keeping calm.” Phillips’ Oregon future was sealed after he truly took Dan Lanning’s advice to heart. Rather than panicking into making a decision, Tristan remained calm, did his research, and listened to what felt right for him, not necessarily the hype of the program. That sort of leadership is what’s assisting Oregon not only to bring in the best recruits but also to create players that are compatible with the program’s culture. Lanning has experienced these high-pressure recruitments before and understands the pressure these young people are under.

Can USC Sunshine lure Tristan Phillips away?

Just as Tristan was thinking he could relax and begin making travel plans to Eugene, along came the USC Trojans attempting to shake things up. It’s like clockwork: the minute a blue-chip recruit signs with another school, USC recalls that they have a phone and an airplane. The Trojans have been flying around, trying to recruit Tristan away from Oregon.

USC believes all West Coast kids are simply a single In-N-Out burger away from turning their allegiance. And, of course, Lincoln Riley isn’t going to allow a prime local linebacker to stroll up to Eugene unopposed. They’re spreading the red carpet, making appearances at games, and likely telling Tristan about NIL opportunities and beachside sunsets. But the thing is, Tristan is already invested in what Dan Lanning and the Ducks are constructing. He’s not seeking a gaudy logo or a strong photo opportunity with a name on the sidelines. He wants to be on a team that genuinely is like a family, and that’s what Oregon’s providing.

And it’s not just USC. Washington, Maryland, and a handful of other Power Four programs have all tried to get Tristan’s attention, each one pitching their version of “we’re the perfect fit, trust us.” But Tristan, after getting that sage advice from Dan Lanning to keep calm and block out the noise, seems to be handling it like a pro. As USC is making an effort to flip him and other schools are in the loop, he’s just relaxing up in Oregon, already performing as a leader and recruiting for the Ducks.