Dan Lanning and Oregon Ducks leverage Nike connections with Kobe Bryant to land elite target after dry spell

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 9:27 AM ET

After swinging and missing on several high-profile recruits who seemed destined for Oregon at one point or another, Dan Lanning and his staff needed to catch a big fish. The Oregon Ducks built tremendous momentum in the 2024 season and on the 2025 recruiting trail, but the 2026 class wasn't as bought in as rival teams feared they could be.

One player bucking the trend of elite talents spuring Eugene is Jett Washington. The five-star safety is the nephew of former Los Angeles Lakers star and Nike icon Kobe Bryant.

The 6-foot-4 defensive back from Las Vegas was also considering Alabama and USC. Ultimately, though, he said the "fit at Oregon is right for me."

BREAKING: Five-Star Safety Jett Washington has Committed to Oregon, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’4 205 S from Las Vegas, NV chose the Ducks over USC & Alabama

He is the nephew of NBA legend Kobe Bryant

“God is good, Sco Ducks ”https://t.co/k42A6LpJMb pic.twitter.com/CS8wt5ZkO8
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 20, 2025

“Oregon has what I am looking for,” Washington told On3. “My relationships with the coaches are strong, coach Lanning is a defensive-minded head coach, I love the whole environment and Oregon sets their guys up for life after football."

The fit Washington is referring to obviously includes the on-field scheme that Oregon has built around high-end safety play. But his relationships with the coaching staff was a bigger deciding point for Washington. This is a crucial win for Lanning after he didn't build that same rapport with some recent recruits who opted to go elsewhere.

“Each visit went well. They got better each time and I started to feel good about Oregon. Me and coach Hampton developed a strong relationship. I love his energy. Coach Lupoi has a great plan for me as a high safety too. Then that feeling I had on my official visit was big.

“Getting around those coaches again and spending more time on campus had me thinking about my decision. I went home, thought about it and I knew it was Oregon.”

Washington joins tight end Kendre Harrison as a five-star talent in Oregon's 2026 recruiting class.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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