Even when Oregon was routinely competing for conference titles in the Joey Harrington era, or rocketing into the national-title picture under Chip Kelly, the Ducks never accomplished anything like the recruiting class signed Wednesday by first-year head coach Mario Cristobal.
The UO football program opened the new early signing period by receiving 22 signed letters of intent Wednesday, including from the No. 1-ranked player in the entire country according to ESPN, defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. The class, which can be enhanced over the next two days and again during the traditional signing period in February, was ranked first in the Pac-12 by all the major recruiting services, and No.