Oregon's Jeremiah McClellan reveals reason for Ohio State commitment flip
The Oregon Ducks have a solid cast of wide receivers heading into the 2025 NCAA season. One of their top options is Jeremiah McClellan, and back in 2023, he nearly wasn't coming to Oregon.
He had initially committed to Ohio State, but later flipped his commitment, joining the Ducks instead. It was an interesting decision, especially with a crowded wide receiver room at Oregon.
But after a recent fall workout ahead of the 2025 season, in a piece from Mario Nordi of Sports Illustrated, McClellan revealed why he made such a decision, and it has a lot to do with head coach Dan Lanning.
"It was basically just the connection that Coach Lanning and the staff have here," McClellan said, "I really just didn't feel like I had that connection at Ohio State. So the connection I have here, and the way Coach Lanning and Coach Terry, Coach Stein, and the guys that recruited me, it just felt like family here."
Not only is this a great endorsement of Lanning from McClellan, but it's a sign of a good organization that McClellan pointed out other coaches and also the recruiters who, eventually, helped convince him to come to Oregon over Ohio State.
MORE: Oregon receives negative injury update involving 5-star freshman
With the offensive line coach A'lique Terry and the offensive coordinator Will Stein playing a huge role in McClellan coming to Oregon, it was a group effort that helped the four-star receiver decide to join the Ducks over the Buckeyes in 2023.
He didn't factor into the team much, hauling in just three receptions for 24 yards in 2024, but the 2025 season is one for McClellan to take the next step and become a contributor for the Oregon offense.
With a new quarterback for the third year in a row after Dillon Gabriel departed for the NFL, being drafted by the Cleveland Browns, the Ducks will need to hope for a reestablished offense to pick up where they left off in 2024.
McClellan came to Oregon thanks to Lanning, among other coaches on the staff. Lanning has led the Ducks to impressive offensive seasons year after year, and in 2025, McClellan could be a huge piece of that potent offense at Oregon, as they pursue a deep playoff run after a disappointing end to 2024.
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