Dan Lanning knows a good fight when he sees one. LSU is breathing down Oregon’s neck for top recruits. The Ducks, fresh off an undefeated regular season in ’24 (before that playoff stumble), are already stacking the 2025 class. They are No. 2 nationally with four 5-stars and 16 four-stars. Now they want a repeat performance in ’26, but Brian Kelly and his Tigers are making it a dogfight. 

Oregon is coming in hot in the pursuit of 5-star safety Blaine Bradford. Their latest recruiting update on On3 Recruits on January 25 highlights Dan Lanning’s effort to channel the attention of this 2026 No. 1 safety to Eugene. As Steve Wiltfong reported, “LSU is the On3 RPM favorite for the local Baton Rouge Catholic safety, but he is strongly considering four other programs. Oregon is one of them. He is excited to get out there and see the culture for himself, get around the staff in person.”

The top talents attract top programs. This 6’1, 195 lbs blue chip prospect is the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to On3. So, LSU and Oregon are far from the only programs fighting for his commitment. Other big powerhouses that are in the mix for Blaine Bradford include Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Alabama. 

But as far as the forecasts go right now, Brian Kelly has an upper hand in this recruitment for more than one reason. Blaine Bradford is an LA native out of Baton Rouge Catholic High School. Besides, as Wiltfong also mentioned, “he obviously has great familiarity with the Tigers” because of his older brother Jacob Bradford, who committed to LSU in October 2024. But Dan Lanning will look to give the younger Bradford reasons to choose Oregon over the Tigers. 

Dan Lanning gets a chance to impress Blaine Bradford 

Oregon is expected to have Blaine Bradford over at the campus this weekend on Junior Day. And this is going to be his first impression on a personal level with Dan Lanning’s program and the coaching staff. As his father Stacey Bradford said, “This will be Blaine’s first trip to Oregon, and he’s eager to connect with the coaching staff, discuss football, and experience the culture firsthand.” 

While all signs point to Blaine Bradford joining LSU, nothing is set in stone. His father’s statement shows that the coveted safety will follow the path that’s right for his growth and development—“At this stage of the recruitment, it’s all about which program shows the most interest and has a clear vision for his future as a student-athlete.” Blaine Bradford aces both football and academics and would be a tremendous addition to any program. 

Oregon already boasts the No. 1 recruiting class in 2026 with a total of 10 commits, including 5-star TE Kendre Harrison. Can Dan Lanning find the right chords to strike during this upcoming weekend visit to take the competition far ahead?