Blue-Chip Defensive Target Set for Oregon Visit Next Month

Oregon is coming off a strong recruiting weekend where they hosted 15 recruits, including 13 blue-chippers. That was only the beginning, though. While we may not see groups that large again until the spring game, recruits will continue flocking to Eugene throughout the spring. Yet another top target has been confirmed for a visit.

4-star 2026 linebacker Kenneth Goodwin tells me he will return to Eugene on April 19, although he also mentioned that the visit could get moved up. Goodwin previously visited Oregon in January for Junior Day and will now make at least his third trip to Eugene.

I posted an update on Goodwin not too long ago, but in short, Rivals' Adam Gorney thinks Oregon and Georgia are leading the pack in this recruitment. From what I was told, Georgia seems to have a slight edge over Oregon, but Michigan is another serious contender in this race. Oregon will also get an official visit from Goodwin, but a date is not locked in yet. All he has scheduled right now is Georgia during the first week of June.

Goodwin is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound linebacker from Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California. His rankings vary across different recruiting services. In my opinion, 247Sports and Rivals are the most reliable, but all of them have their strengths and weaknesses. His highest ranking is by ESPN, where he is No. 65 overall, followed by Rivals at No. 134. Meanwhile, 247Sports and On3 have him as a high 3-star.

According to his 247Sports scouting report, he was "First saw at the National Preps Camp last year (2/4/23) where he earned LB MVP honors. Measured in at 6-1, 205 pounds with a 75” wing span and his 4.68-40 was among the best of all the linebackers. Size wise, he’s sort of a hybrid safety/linebacker but has a ton of positional versatility and makes plays all over the field. He’s an inside/outside guy, physical in run support, can deliver a blow and is quick around the edge as a pass rusher. He’s comfortable in space, natural cover guy and can run down plays from behind. Smart player as well, understands the game, reads and reacts quickly and is always around the football. Easy national recruit with the talent to play at the high Power 4 level."