Oregon Football Emerges as Dark Horse Favorite in Battle for 2027’s Elite Defensive Lineman—What’s Behind the Surge?

While everyone’s been zeroed in on the 2026 Oregon Ducks recruiting haul lately, there’s been a quieter, craftier game unfolding just beneath the surface. Dan Lanning and his recruiting squad aren’t just playing the immediate future — they’ve got their eyes locked way down the recruiting trail. A hot name catching early buzz? Kasi Currie, a towering 6-foot-5, 315-pound defensive tackle out of Sierra Canyon, California, who’s quickly positioning Oregon as the “team to beat” in the 2027 class. The kid’s not just big — he’s among the nation’s top prospects, and Oregon has already made a notable impression with multiple visits and an upcoming June trip planned. Sure, the page isn’t turned yet — schools like Texas A&M, Tennessee, USC, and LSU are all throwing their hats in the ring — but the Ducks are clearly leading this recruiting tug-of-war early on. If Currie signs on, he’d be the perfect first domino for the uncommitted 2027 group. It’s an intriguing chess match worth keeping your eye on. LEARN MORE.Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.”Emerging as one of the top 2027 defensive tackles nationally, Oregon has a big early edge for the Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon standout as he’s loved his trips to Eugene and will be back on June 1,” Gorney wrote.

Currie was on campus in Eugene for the Ducks’ spring game, and he plans to return on June 1 later this summer.While it is still early in his recruitment, and offers continue to pour in for the fast-rising sophomore, Lanning and his team have put themselves in a good position early on. They will have to battle some other big names down the stretch, though.

The Ducks don’t have any commitments in the 2027 class, but Currie would be a great player to kick things off should he give his verbal in the coming months.

“Texas A&M, Tennessee, and USC are three others to watch, and LSU just offered on Tuesday,” Gorney said. “But Oregon is definitely the team to beat.”Earlier this week, Rivals’ recruiting director Adam Gorney gave a breakdown on the recruitment for some of the top players in the 2027 class, and he stated that the Ducks are the “team to beat” for 4-star defensive tackle Kasi Currie, who stands at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds. As a California native from Sierra Canyon, Oregon has been an early name to watch in the recruitment for Currie, who the 247Sports Composite rates as the No. 156 player in the class, and No. 13 defensive lineman.

All focus over the past few weeks has been on the 2026 recruiting class for the Oregon Ducks, but behind the scenes, Dan Lanning and his staff have quietly been making a strong push down the road as well.