Dan Lanning, Oregon land elite recruit for second day in a row

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Dan Lanning, Oregon land elite recruit for second day in a row

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 24, 2026 12:45 AM ET

Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks are on a roll.

On Wednesday, Oregon picked up a commitment from one of the best quarterbacks in the 2027 recruiting class, four-star Will Mencl.

A day later, Lanning has added another elite recruit to his 2027 class. This time, though, it came on the defensive side of the football.

Semaj Stanford, a four-star safety from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, committed to the Ducks on Thursday.

Stanford also considered the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs.

BREAKING: Four-Star Safety Semaj Stanford has Committed to Oregon, he tells me for @Rivals⁰⁰The 5’11 190 S from Broken Arrow, OK chose the Ducks over Texas and Georgia

“All Glory to my Lord and Savior, SCO DUCKS”https://t.co/ljoEm1J3VG pic.twitter.com/QOF65AdkjM
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 23, 2026

New Oregon commit Semaj Stanford is an elite high school defender.

This past season for Broken Arrow High School, he notched 109 tackles, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. Two of his interceptions were taken back to the house for touchdowns.

Checking in at 5-foot-1, 180 pounds, Stanford is ranked as the No. 3 safety in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports and the No. 58 recruit in the country.

He's a massive pickup for an Oregon class that's trending elite. In fact, he's the highest-ranked recruit in this class...so far.

The Ducks now have 10 2027 commitments in a class that's ranked No. 5 nationally behind only Oklahoma, Texas A&M, USC and Ohio State.

Speaking of the Sooners, Lanning stole this commitment right out of their backyard.

It's a big deal.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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