Oregon Football Pushing To Flip 5-Star Recruit Amid $1 Million NIL Buzz
The Oregon Ducks lost out on the initial commitment of EDGE David Jacobs. The 6-foot-5.5, 235-pound pass rusher is a five-star recruit, the No. 1 EDGE and the No. 4 player in the nation, according to Rivals Industry Rankings.
He committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Dec. 29, despite offers from the Ducks, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas A&M Aggies, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Miami Hurricanes.
Despite that, Dan Lanning and his staff continue to push for a flip. However, landing Jacobs would come with a substantial financial obligation. On Friday, On3's Pete Nakos reported that the pass rusher is expected to earn a deal worth more than $1 million.
"The cycle's No. 1 EDGE David Jacobs, currently committed to Ohio State, continues to be courted by Miami, Oregon and Texas A&M," Nakos wrote. "He's expected to make north of the $1 million mark wherever he ultimately lands."
It's a hefty price tag, but Jacobs continues to show strong production. Last season for Blessed Trinity High School, he accumulated 102 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in 11 games.
The Ducks haven't hidden their ability to spend big either. Former Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy claimed Oregon spent $40 million on their roster. Lanning responded, saying, "If you want to be a top 10 team in college football, you'd better be invested in winning. And we spend to win."
With recruiting beginning to heat up, Oregon may view Jacobs as a worthy $1 million investment. The Ducks have already put together a 2027 cycle that ranks seventh nationally with 12 commitments. 10 of those players are blue-chip prospects, per Rivals.
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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 8:18 AM.