EUGENE – Wednesday, Dec. 4, marked Early National Signing Day, a milestone for top prospects nationwide. Oregon secured commitments from 21 athletes in the class of 2025, setting a program record for the most 5-star recruits in a single class. Among them, 15 will enroll early and start training with the team this winter.
One standout is 5-star wide receiver Dallas Wilson, a 6’3″ playmaker from Tampa, Florida. Wilson, who committed to Oregon in January 2023, resisted aggressive efforts from powerhouse programs like Miami and Florida to sway his decision, officially signing with the Ducks on Dec. 3.
Wilson discovered his passion for football at just six years old. By his freshman year of high school, he received his first scholarship offer, initially as a safety, from Florida A&M University (FAMU).
“It felt pretty good. A lot of people didn’t believe I had the offer because of the school I came from and the position I played,” Wilson shared with Oregon SI’s Olivia Cleary. “But me and the FAMU coaches have been tight ever since they gave me that chance as a defensive player. It was just a cool experience.”
Despite his gratitude for the early connection with FAMU, Wilson always had his sights set on his dream school—over 3,000 miles away at the University of Oregon.
“I just saw the Ducks everywhere,” Wilson said. “As a kid, I’d see them on TV, and their colors and uniforms were just incredible. They had so many jersey combinations. It was awesome to imagine being part of a school like that. The fans were always so passionate, and I could tell they truly supported their team. I loved that.”
Determined to catch the attention of his dream school, Wilson worked tirelessly throughout high school, putting up impressive stats. As a junior, he tallied 49 receptions for 872 yards, following a sophomore season with 40 catches for 875 yards. “My whole life, I told myself if I ever got an offer from Oregon, I’d commit,” Wilson recalled. “One day, I even told my Spanish teacher that if Oregon ever offered, I’d commit. That same day, Coach [Adrian] Klemm came to talk to me and said, ‘Yeah, we’d like to offer you.’ I was ecstatic. As soon as he left, I committed. It was an incredible moment, and the whole coaching staff was so happy.”
In today’s college football world, however, a commitment doesn’t mean the recruiting battle is over. Wilson remained a prime target for other programs, with Florida and Miami making strong pushes to flip him. Florida nearly succeeded, especially after Wilson attended their upset win over LSU earlier in the season. Miami pulled out all the stops during his official visit. “They had us ride around Miami in black trucks, sprinter vans, escorted by police like we were the president or something,” Wilson said. “It was an amazing experience.”
But Wilson’s bond with Oregon ultimately proved unshakable. “Coach Lanning, Coach Junior Adams, and Coach Stein made me feel at home. They put me under their wing, and I loved that,” Wilson said. “Dan Lanning is the coolest guy on earth. He’s one of the best head coaches in the nation, if not the best. He took the time to learn about my background and who I am, and that meant a lot. A lot of head coaches just want you to play for them, but Oregon has been real with me since day one.”
Current Oregon players also played a key role in his decision. “I talked to Dante Moore, Traeshon Holden, and Gernorris Wilson. Those guys influenced me a lot. Just watching them play and seeing how the coaches supported them—it felt like the right place for me.”
Even with heavy recruitment efforts from other schools, Wilson remained loyal to Oregon. “Florida almost convinced me,” Wilson admitted. “Talking to their players and seeing how they worked to bring me in was tempting. But my heart was set on Oregon.”
Now preparing to move to Eugene as an early enrollee on Jan. 12, Wilson is eager to begin his journey with the Ducks. “The fans, the coaches, everything about Oregon stands out to me,” Wilson told Cleary. “I know Oregon is the place to be.”
