Oregon Ducks coaching staff hints at next 5-star target on social media

The Oregon Ducks have secured their five-star quarterback.

On Friday, Michigan five-star signal-caller Dante Moore announced his commitment after roughly 48 hours of potential hints from the Oregon coaching staff on social media.

Following Moore's decision, Oregon's staff, particularly running back coach Carlos Locklyn, seemed to hint that the next big-time target would be Lehigh Senior High School (Florida) five-star running back Richard Young:

Having already secured Mississippi four-star running back Dante Dowdell, there was also a thinly-veiled message about an elite thunder and lighting tandem, an old nickname given to Oregon's backfield duos of the past. 

Young is rated the nation's No. 2 running back and is down to a top three of Alabama, Georgia and Oregon.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound ball-carrier is viewed as a potentially transcendent talent who is historically talented - even compared to fellow backs in the region.

"One of the most coveted prospects to come out of Southwest Florida in recent memory. A one-cut-and-go type of running back that’s powerful enough to get it done in-between the tackles. Excellent vision and overall feel for the position allows him to get up field in a hurry and attack holes. Outstanding contact balance combined with an effective stiff arm makes it extremely difficult for high school defenders to bring him to the ground. Has experience working out of single back, shotgun and pistol formations. Limited context when it comes to pass blocking, but should be able to chip away at college-sized defensive linemen given his size and physical nature. Track background shows up on Friday nights as he’s consistently pulling away from defenses. Catches the ball well and should be able to move the chains via the screen game, if those type of plays are on the call sheet. Wear and tear not much of a concern at this stage in his development as he’s averaged only 12 carries a game his first two years of high school. Likely to emerge as an impact player for a Top 25 program given foot speed and ability to shed would-be tacklers. Will be on the radar of NFL scouts one day if everything comes together."

Will Oregon pull off a "Moore, Young" backfield with its 2023 recruiting class?

That appears to be the goal - and 50 percent of that effort was already accomplished this week.

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