Sports

Oregon Using Unlimited Nike Money To Top Maryland For 5-Star Recruit In Under Armour’s Backyard

#College Football
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Dan Lanning over a background of Autzen Stadium.

iStockphoto / © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


Five-star recruit Immanuel Iheanacho is the top prospect in the state of Maryland for the 2026 class. The 345-pound offensive lineman is prepping for a roller coaster recruitment with his official visits quickly approaching.

The Baltimore native recently announced that Oregon is currently the leader in the race. The Ducks are using Nike money to pluck him from Under Armour’s backyard.

Dan Lanning has been one of college football’s biggest spenders in the NIL era. He’s become the beneficiary of an unlimited bankroll generously donated by Nike founder and Oregon alum Phil Knight.

The program spent a reported $23 million on its 2024 roster, the most of any college football team. It helped the Ducks win a Big Ten title in their first season in the conference.

The spending won’t slow down in 2025, where Oregon is expected to again boast one of the sport’s most expensive lineups. The unlimited cash will help on the recruiting trail, too.

Oregon is sparing no expense on Immanuel Iheanacho.

The Ducks are spending a pretty penny on recruiting the lineman this summer. Offensive coordinator Will Stein dropped into Baltimore last week to see Iheanacho. They’ll soon host the five-star talent in Eugune next month.

Iheanacho has an official visit set up for June 20th, his last of four scheduled trips. That visit will be fully funded by Oregon; a school located 2,500 miles away from his hometown. The Ducks will cover all travel, housing, and necessary costs.

NIL offers will potentially be a topic of conversation, too. The market for top offensive linemen in this year’s class are falling into the $2 million range.

Oregon will be sure to roll out the red carpet for their top target in hopes of securing the commitment. It appears his home school of Maryland won’t get that opportunity. Iheanacho scratched a previously scheduled official visit to see the Terps, cutting his list to just LSU, Penn State, Auburn, and Oregon.

That would appear a bad sign for the Terrapins, though Iheanacho can take as many unofficial visits to College Park as he wants to on his own dime.

Oregon recently received a “crystal ball” prediction to land Immanuel Iheanacho’s pledge. Before this month, Maryland was the only school to own a crystal ball for the tackle.

That’s significant considering the cash the Terps have on hand with big-time booster Kevin Plank. Similar to Phil Knight, the Under Armour founder has made it his own goal to help boost the status his alma mater’s football program.

Under Armour is one of Nike’s biggest competitors in the athletic apparel market. They remain a top choice in NCAA brand partnerships, joining forces with the likes of Maryland, Auburn, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Utah.

Plank has seen Immanuel Iheanacho up close and personal on the football field. He’d love nothing more than for the lineman to stay home and represent the Terrapins. He’s now fighting Nike for that opportunity!

The heavy Maryland/Oregon presence has led many to turn Iheanacho’s recruitment into a Nike vs. Under Armour battle. Both have the checkbooks to make a difference. At this point in time, Nike appears to be winning the race!

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