Oregon Ducks Land Commitment From In-State Safety Recruit

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The Oregon Ducks have secured a commitment from in-state safety recruit Cole Thomas, who played high school football at Central Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon. Thomas, who doesn't have any recruiting stars to his name, made a name for himself with his special teams play, returning four kicks and one punt for touchdowns in his senior season. He also recorded 87 tackles, four interceptions, and four pass breakups as a safety.

Why it matters

The Ducks continue to build their 2026 recruiting class with in-state talent, adding Thomas and his Central Catholic teammate Hudson Coe to the fold. Thomas' ability to make game-changing plays on special teams could earn him early playing time, following in the footsteps of former walk-on linebacker Bryce Boettcher who became a starter for the Ducks.

The details

Thomas, a 3-star recruit according to 247Sports, chose the Ducks over offers from the University of Pennsylvania and Portland State. He led Central Catholic to the 6A state title game, where they eventually fell to Lake Oswego 35-6. Thomas' special teams prowess, averaging 43.3 yards per kick return with five total return touchdowns, could provide an immediate impact for the Ducks in 2026.

• Thomas announced his commitment via social media on February 3, 2026.
• In his senior season at Central Catholic, Thomas recorded his special teams touchdowns during the 2025 high school football season.

What’s next

Thomas and his Central Catholic teammate Hudson Coe will look to follow in the footsteps of former Oregon walk-on Bryce Boettcher, who went on to become a starter for the Ducks.