Already enrolled in school, Jake Rodrigues is Oregon's first commit of the 2012 class.

A 6-3, 215-lb. quarterback from Whitney High in Rocklin, California, he accounted for 84 touchdowns in two years as a starter, passing for 47 and running for 39. Rivals.com called him "the best dual-threat quarterback on the West Coast." In his senior year he threw for 2,036 yards and 26 touchdowns with just five interceptions while leading his team to a 10-3 record.

In 2010 as a junior, he passed for 2,039 yards and 21 touchdowns with nine interceptions and rushed for 1,300 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Photo left: Rocket-armed California signal caller Jake Rodrigues enrolled early at Oregon, and he'll compete this spring for the starting job (maxpreps.com photo).

Recruiting is just one facet of building a successful program. ESPN's Ted Miller points out that in 2008, the top two recruiting classes, according to espn.com, were signed by Miami and Clemson. The Hurricanes finished 6-6 this season, Clemson 10-3. Alabama, who just won the 2011-12 National Championship, was third in the recruiting rankings. Stars they signed that year like Richardson and Hightower and Jones figured prominently in their two national titles.

Photo left: Jeff Maehl, soaring for a clutch catch in the 2011 National Championship Game, was a 3-star recruit at another position coming out of high school. The recruiting services said he ran a 4.72 40. They forgot to measure his courage, heart, and competitiveness.

Jackson Rice, the thinking fan's punter, who has proved to be a weapon for the Oregon defense with his laser-accurate shots inside the ten yard line, graduates after the 2012 season. The Ducks may have picked up a great candidate to succeed him in Dylan Ausherman, who made his verbal commitment Monday after a weekend visit.

6-3 180 from College of the Sequoias in California, Ausherman is rated the #2 punting prospect in the country. He wowed scouts at a Los Angeles area kicking clinic last July, and can regularly reach 60 yards and five seconds of hang time in tryouts. A full qualifier after high school, the athletic kicker has a redshirt year available, three years to play two.

With less than 24 hours until the beginning of National Signing Day, recruiting news is flying like rumors before a major merger on Wall Street.

#1 Safety Shaq Thompson made a verbal commitment last night to the Washington Huskies. He said he felt comfortable there and liked the academic opportunities at Washington. Fast and physical at 6-2, 215, Thompson should have an immediate impact in new defensive coordinator Josh Wilcox's defense. The Ducks were one of the finalists for the talented safety, and there was hope he might join buddy Arik Armstead as a Duck.

The announcement immediately heats up the UO-UW rivalry with the two Sacramento-area preps likely to play key roles in the next few years.

The Ducks should be fine at the position despite losing out on Thompson. They have some good young returnees in Brian Jackson, Avery Patterson and Erick Dargan, who all got extensive playing time last season, plus they recruited a fast, hard-hitting safety of their own in Oshay Dunmore.  The Amoako brothers and Reggie Daniels should also add depth and aggressiveness to the defensive backfield, all smart and tough.

The Ducks lost a key commitment yesterday when three-star linebacker Bryce Cottrell, 6-3, 230 from Plano West High School in Plano, Texas, switched his verbal pledge from Oregon to the University of Texas after a weekend visit. His flip represents the second defection at linebacker after Jeremy Castro changed to UCLA earlier this month, and leaves the Ducks with just one scholarship linebacker recruit in this class, Brett Bafaro, an in-state product.

Linebacker recruiting becomes a priority for next year with Kiko Alonso and Michael Clay graduating after the 2012 season.

The Ducks have 19 verbal commits, including the newest and splashiest one, Arik Armstead. Counting Darron Thomas' full ride they have about six more scholarships to award. Here are the targets for those crucial six additions:

Shaq Thompson

The 6-2, 215-lb. safety is deciding between Washington, Oregon and Cal. Speculation centers around  Washington as Thompson just took a weekend visit there, has a close friend on the team, and has developed a bond with new Washington coach Tosh Lupoi.

Bralon Addison and Chance Allen

The two swift, athletic wide receivers visited Oregon this week and are childhood friends, playing at rival schools a few miles from each other in Missouri City, Texas. Both originally committed to other schools but came away impressed by their Oregon visit.

Shane Brostek

Profiled Sunday in The Duck Stops Here, Brostek is a 6-3, 300-lb. offensive lineman from Hawaii with tremendous agility for his size, able to pull, slide-step and block downfield, a great fit for the Oregon offense.

Bryan Harper, athlete

Harper is solidly built at 6-0, 180, so tremendously athletic he's played quarterback, running back, receiver and defensive back for his high school team, Colony High, which finished 11-2 and made it to the CIF semi-finals.

Jeremy Poutasi, offensive line

Poutasi was a Utah commit, but visited Oregon in January and left impressed. He's big and mobile like Brostek, a solid line prospect with the smarts and agility Oregon coaches like.

Julian Brooks, athlete

Brooks is another tall, physical receiver who is also a hard-hitting safety. Oregon's only recently been talking with him after he decommitted from Arizona.

There are some other possibilities, but these seven are all intriguing prospects with talent. Thompson is the biggest prize. The rest could become solid college players, and have the attitude and work ethic to fit in at Oregon.

It means the Ducks have another big, strong body at the defensive end position, a spot where they were thin in numbers. Armstead is, at last report, 6-8, 295. He has good quickness and strength, so he's an excellent candidate to join the rotation at Terrell Turner's strong side defensive end spot as a true freshman. He's enrolling for spring term and will be able to participate in spring practice, making him a strong candidate for early playing time.

It means all the noise about Chip Kelly's exploration of an NFL job or a lingering effect from the Will Lyles investigation is flat wrong. With their recent success, cool uniforms and great facilities, Oregon remains an attractive destination for premier recruits, a school that stands out to them and many investigate and choose for their short list. Oregon is now competing for many of the most talented student athletes in the country, and winning their share. In the last two years they've landed the top recruits on the West Coast in De'Anthony Thomas and Armstead, players just a decade ago that would have been automatic locks to USC.

It increases the chances (but in no way guarantees) that other top talent will follow Armstead to Eugene, particularly his good friend and close confidant in the recruiting process, 6-2, 215-lb., 5-star safety Shaq Thompson, also from the Sacramento area and another former Cal commit. It builds momentum for Signing Day, and undecided recruits can be swept up in that momentum. Oregon is a legitimate national title contender with three straight conference titles, a Rose Bowl win and three of the last four years in the Top Ten. They play an entertaining style of football before a capacity crowd in one of the most loud and energetic stadiums in the country. The campus is beautiful, the people are friendly and the scenery is magnificent. Armstead putting on the Oregon hat before two dozen reporters validates all that, again.

It means Cal, UW and USC didn't get him.

Finally, if the young man from Sacramento applies himself on the practice field and in the weight room and classroom, he can become a great, dominating college football player. Strong defensive linemen with quickness are the rarest and most valuable commodity in the game. They limit what the offense can do and disrupt what they do best. Matt Barkley might not look so comfortable in November, squeezed between Arik Armstead and Dion Jordan. With an improved secondary and stronger pass rush, plus no Matt Kalil protecting Barkley's blindside, the result could be two touchdowns different. Pressure on the quarterback is one of the most important facets of the game. An elite, talented lineman can transform a defense.

Elk Grove, California defensive lineman Arik Armstead, a 6-8, 285-lb. five-star player recruited by schools from USC to Auburn, put on an Oregon hat at his verbal commit ceremony held at his family's home church just about an hour ago.

Armstead has graduated from high school and intends to enroll early. He's physical, quick and gifted, an extremely strong defender who also excelled as an offensive tackle but wants to play defensive end and power forward in college, intending to double on Dana Altman's basketball squad.

Jubilation for Webfoots: before family, friends and an impressively large press contigent, Arik Armstead thanked each of the finalists among the schools that recruited him, then donned an Oregon hat, announcing his college choice (Dan Greenspan, twitterpic photo).

Powerfully built and agressive, Armstead praised the Oregon coaching staff at his ceremony for their honesty and positive approach in recruiting him. His commitment increases the chances friend and fellow elite Sacramento-area prospect Shaq Thompson will join the Ducks. The two have remained in close contact throughout their recruitment, both originally committing to Cal until Tosh Lupoi left the coaching staff. Thompson is scheduled to announce on Signing Day.

Armstead has the size and maturity to contribute right away on the defensive line, taking a spot in the rotation as the Ducks strive to replace departed seniors Terrell Turner and Brandon Hanna. He's the highest impact defensive line prospect the Ducks have picked up since Haloti Ngata. His addition, along Alex Balducci, DeForest Buckner, Stetzon Bair, Cody Carriger and Reggie Daniel ensures Oregon of bringing a deep, talented pool of defensive linemen as they continue their drive to build a dynasty in Eugene.

Darron Thomas was a capable leader who won 23 games. He made good decisions and limited his turnovers, distributing the ball effectively to a talented array of offensive weapons. The Ducks won two conference championships with Thomas at the controls, but now he's gone, and it's time for new leadership and a new look.

This is Kenjon Barner's team now, and the mature, well-spoken senior will fly in the lead position for the Ducks, on the field and in front of the microphones. He's a great fit for the leadership role as a player who's excelled all three years with touchdowns and big plays, quietly in the background, making the most of his touches and opportunities. He slashes and accelerates into the hole. He's a burner in the open field. He can make a big catch, and has a knack for the end zone. His presence takes a lot of pressure off a first-year starter at quarterback, whether Bennett or Mariota wins that derby. Kenjon will be the steadying influence and the playmaker, allowing De'Anthony Thomas and the quarterback to shine without the weight of being the man.

Photo right: An in-your-face leader when he needs to be, Kenjon Barner will be the heart of an Oregon offense with multiple playmakers and dimensions in 2012.