Nebraska Cornhuskers Recruit Oregon Ducks Commit Avery Michael

Oregon offensive line recruit takes visit to Nebraska, raising questions about potential flip.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented forms of football players on an offensive line, conveying the intense competition for elite linemen in college football recruiting.The battle for top offensive line talent heats up as Nebraska challenges Oregon's recruiting dominance.Lincoln Today

Oregon Ducks fans are on high alert as three-star offensive line commit Avery Michael took an unexpected visit to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Michael, who was the first offensive line recruit to commit to the Ducks, was actively rooting for another Oregon commit, Drew Fielder, to stay with the program. However, Fielder recently flipped his commitment to the USC Trojans, and now Michael's own status with Oregon is in question after his trip to Lincoln to meet with Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule.

Why it matters

Oregon has built a reputation as one of the top recruiting programs in the country, with back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances and a proven pipeline to the NFL. The potential loss of Michael, a highly-rated offensive line prospect, would be a significant blow to the Ducks' 2027 recruiting class, which is currently ranked 13th nationally.

The details

Michael, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive tackle from Turlock, California, was the first offensive line recruit to commit to Oregon. He chose the Ducks over offers from USC, Cal, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, and UCLA. However, after four-star offensive tackle Drew Fielder flipped his commitment to USC, Michael decided to take an unofficial visit to Nebraska to meet with head coach Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers program.

  • On Sunday, February 1, Michael committed to Oregon.
  • In late March, Michael visited Nebraska for the Cornhuskers' spring football game.

The players

Avery Michael

A three-star offensive line recruit from Turlock, California, who was the first offensive line prospect to commit to the Oregon Ducks for the 2027 recruiting class.

Matt Rhule

The head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who hosted Michael for an unofficial visit during the team's spring football game.

Dan Lanning

The head coach of the Oregon Ducks, who landed Michael's commitment in February 2026.

A'lique Terry

The offensive line coach for the Oregon Ducks, who is the primary recruiter for several top offensive line prospects in the 2026 and 2027 classes.

Drew Fielder

A four-star offensive tackle who recently flipped his commitment from Oregon to USC, raising concerns about the stability of Oregon's 2027 recruiting class.

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What they’re saying

“Nebraska's facilities recently stole a bit of spotlight from Oregon's stunning Hatfield Dowlin Complex in Eugene.”

— Will Compton, Former NFL athlete

What’s next

Oregon will have a prime recruiting opportunity during their annual spring football game in Autzen Stadium on April 25, where they hope to solidify the commitment of Avery Michael and other top prospects in the 2027 class.

The takeaway

The potential loss of Avery Michael, a highly-rated offensive line recruit, would be a significant blow to Oregon's 2027 recruiting class. The Ducks have built a reputation as one of the top programs in the country, but they now face the challenge of keeping their commitments in the face of competition from programs like Nebraska.