Dan Lanning tasked with overcoming two key barriers he can't help with massive five-star recruiting target

While the Oregon Ducks have built quite their program extremely well over the last few years under head coach Dan Lanning, there's a lot out of their control when it comes to winning recruiting battles. They enjoyed an elite class last year, and there was more than a moment where it seemed as though Nike's influence and deep pockets would be impossible to beat.

However, there are inherent issues that Oregon will always deal with. While it's not as difficult to sway kids from other parts of the country to get out to Los Angeles and USC, going to the Pacific Northwest is a taller tasks. 

It's a different lifestyle, weather, and hard to get to. This is the difficult that Oregon is contending with as they pursue elite five-star offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho from Maryland.

On insider believes his distance from home could open the door for other SEC or Big Ten schools to land him.

Here's the latest intel from On3's Steve Wiltfong.

"A source that spent time with five-star offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho over the weekend at Auburn thinks distance will ultimately be a factor in that recruitment making it tough for Oregon. They think Penn State will be an interesting one to watch. LSU has been gaining steam. Auburn will continue to battle."

The trip from Baltimore, Maryland, to Eugene, Oregon is 2,823 miles. It'd take 42 hours to make the drive, and the average flight is almost seven hours, depending on layovers. 

Even beyond the distance from home, there's another red flag emerging. While pipelines from schools to a program can be viewed as something more associated with how it works in College Football 26, there's a comfort that comes with knowing people when you step onto campus.

Iheanacho talked about the impact of familiarity of knowing some Maryland guys who are already at Auburn.

“They already have a pipeline building with Maryland guys, guys like Bryce Deas, Darrion Smith,” he said. “It’s very important because I would be able to come here and be around guys I already know, guys I’ve talked to previously. I’ve known Blake (Woodby) since I was in seventh grade. It makes you feel at home.”

While Iheanacho admitted Oregon and LSU are still his top schools, there are factors Lanning can't make up for right now. Barring a sudden barrage of scholarships to Iheanacho's friends to comfort him, Oregon won't win if their pitch is comfort.

They must sell him on an NFL future, immediate playing time and development, and NIL funds. The extreme difference in culture and time zone from Maryland to Oregon will almost surely factor into Iheanacho'a mind, even if he decides to put faith in the gigantic leap.

Here's a scouting report on Iheanacho from On3's Charles Power.

Mountain of an offensive tackle prospect with light-footed movement skills. Has truly rare dimensions for a young offensive tackle. Checked in at nearly 6-foot-7, 350 pounds with startlingly 36-inch long arms and big hands. Shows good flexibility and functional movement skills at his immense size. Owns one of the more powerful punches we’ve seen among offensive tackle prospects in the past few cycles. Absolutely stones defensive linemen at the point of attack. Length, hand strength, and girth create a nearly unmovable anchor. Played on the defensive line early in his high school career, showing off some nice athleticism. Also has a basketball background. Turned in a strong showing at the Under Armour All-America Game before his senior season. Will need to continue improving his overall consistency in the high school football setting, but has considerable upside given his physical gifts.