Recruiting season is officially in overdrive, and the big dogs are making their moves. Out West, a top offensive weapon just dropped a big news. Deshonne Redeaux, one of the most electrifying backs in the 2026 class, has revealed his top schools, echoing the dreams of many young prospects: “I do want to come in and play early.” This Oaks Christian star might be ranked No. 115 nationally and No. 12 at his position, but he’s still a recruiting goldmine. And his decision has left some powerhouse programs in the dust. Sherrone Moore and Kirby Smart? They’re on the outside looking in. The race for Redeaux is a full-blown sprint, and the competition is absolutely cutthroat.

Hayes Fawcett of On3 broke the news on X, announcing, “NEWS: Four-Star RB Deshonne Redeaux is down to 6️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits.” The lucky six? Oregon, USC, Washington, UCLA, Michigan, and Georgia. Talk about a who’s who of college football. As the No. 14 player in California, Redeaux is in high demand, and for good reason. During his junior year at Oaks Christian, he absolutely crushed it, racking up over 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns. That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed.

As of now, while Redeaux’s recruitment is heating up, Moore is making a strong push. Back in August, the Wolverines made the first cut, and they aren’t backing down. Not only this, Michigan RBs coach Tony Alford made a visit last month, keeping the connection strong. But the Wolverines have options, as they’re also in the mix for talents like Savion Hiter and Javian Osborne. So can Redeaux play early? That’s a big question, and we’ve got some other serious players in the mix. The SEC champs are fighting too.

On February 3rd, he made a crucial visit to Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs, spending quality time with the coaching staff and Smart himself. With Georgia and Michigan now officially in the mix, the heat has been turned up even higher. But who’s got the inside track among his top six? Well, it’s looking like neither Georgia nor Michigan currently hold the cards.

The 5-foot-9.5, 180-pound playmaker recently visited Eugene and came away impressed. Head coach Dan Lanning and his staff went all out, making him feel like a top priority from the moment he arrived. “From the time I got there at the airport, everyone was checking on me and making sure I was good. They showed me from the start that they cared about me. Coach Lanning spent a lot of time with me; Coach Samples went into great detail with me, and so many things showed me what I mean to them,” said the RB. So, Oregon is all in, and Redeaux is taking notice.

Oregon might have a commitment from RB Tradarian, but it looks like Lanning’s program isn’t done yet. The Ducks are pushing hard for a second back, and Redeaux is their top target right now. Plus, he’s planning a return visit this spring, which puts Dan Lanning’s program in a good spot. Meanwhile, while Georgia and Michigan are locked in a tight battle for Redeaux, the real threat isn’t just Lanning. It’s USC and UCLA.

Those in-state programs have had him on campus plenty, and they’re not letting up. Looks like the West Coast powers are making a serious push. But with so many schools in the mix, the million-dollar question is: which program checks all the boxes for Redeaux?

What Deshonne Redeaux wants from his ‘new home’

In an interview with On3 last year, Redeaux detailed the qualities he wants in a future home. “It will be about how the staff and people treat me. Life outside of football is also something I am looking hard at. I will know about the football stuff at the schools I am looking at, so I want to know more about life outside of football and if the coaches care about the players. Those types of things will matter,” Redeaux said. Who knows which program will land Redeaux, but even with the big boys battling it out, don’t sleep on Washington.

The Huskies have their own strategy—target the right SC running backs, not just any. And Redeaux fits the bill. And why not? The speedster clocks a blazing 10.42 in the 100 meters, making him one of the fastest in the class. On top of that, ESPN ranks him as the nation’s No. 7 RB for 2026—one spot ahead of Brian Bonner, another top Huskies target.

Despite missing 3 games with a severe ankle sprain, Deshonne Redeaux still turned heads. And if Washington can land him, they’d be thrilled. And the Huskies have a rich history of pulling elite California backs to Seattle. See, legends like Napoleon Kaufman, Hugh McElhenny, Beno Bryant, Rashaan Shehee, and Chris Polk paved the way. So now they’re looking for the next great one. As of now, whether it’s Redeaux or fellow target Brian Bonner, Washington is ready to add another star to its backfield legacy.