It’s that time of year again—when five-star recruits drop their top schools and the internet catches fire. This time, it’s Immanuel Iheanacho setting off the recruiting frenzy. The 6’7”, 350-pound offensive tackle from Georgetown Prep isn’t just a mountain of a man—he’s a five-star freak with a 530-pound personal record in the weight room and 34 scholarship offers flooding his inbox. As of now, he’s narrowed the list to seven heavy-hitters: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Maryland, Oregon, Penn State, and Texas A&M.

But make no mistake—this is no calm courtship. It’s a full-blown recruiting war. And in the middle of it all, Oregon has surged to the front of the pack.

On3’s Steve Wiltfong reported it first: “One team is setting the pace for Five-Star Plus+ OT Immanuel Iheanacho,” citing none other than Dan Lanning’s Ducks as the current front-runners. It’s not hard to see why. Iheanacho recently made his way back to Eugene, where he reconnected with Lanning, offensive line coach A’lique Terry, and the players. It wasn’t just a visit—it was a vibe check. And by all accounts, the vibe passed with flying colors.

Iheanacho was already eyeing how Terry develops talent. He said it himself: “Trying to see how [offensive line] Coach [A’lique] Terry actually coaches… I know Coach Terry has products like Josh Conerly and those guys on there. Also want to see how the players respond to tough coaching and how generally a practice is run.”

Looks like Oregon passed that test too. And that’s not all the Ducks are doing right.

Behind the scenes, Tradarian Ball, a four-star running back already committed to Oregon, has gone full recruiter mode. Right after Iheanacho’s recent visit, Ball took to X and dropped the hashtag: “#Immanuel2Eugene🦆.” The five-star OT replied with a 🫣 emoji. That’s recruiting chemistry in real-time.

Iheanacho has visited Eugene multiple times in the last 18 months, and his final official visit is set for June 20th. But hold up—it’s not game over just yet. Even though Oregon has made a serious push, Maryland is still very much in the race, and they’re playing the hometown hero card to perfection.

Maryland’s push for Immanuel Iheanacho

Immanuel Iheanacho, who once bumped Oregon to No. 2 behind Maryland, has kept College Park in the conversation with a string of visits and connections. He showed up midweek for a Maryland basketball game and posted on X: “Back in Terpsville tonight! #TBIA.” When top talent like him pulls up midweek, that’s not a coincidence—it’s a clue.

And Maryland’s not working alone here. The Terps landed five-star edge rusher Zion Elee, who’s already helping build momentum for the 2026 class. That commitment may be the domino Maryland needed to start tipping others. Elee and Iheanacho showing up at the same event? That’s a recruiting moment.

Add to that head coach Mike Locksley’s steady presence, and the Terps’ plan is clear—lock down local talent, build chemistry early, and make College Park the place to be. The idea of staying close to home, playing with other elite guys, and representing Maryland on the national stage? That sells itself. And let’s not forget, Iheanacho is still months away from a final decision. His last official visit is set for June 20th—and yes, it’s to Oregon. That trip could be the one that seals the deal or blows this whole thing open again. Either way, buckle up.

Still, teams like Alabama, LSU, and Penn State aren’t sitting quietly. All three programs are in aggressive pursuit mode. Alabama and LSU bring their usual SEC weight, while Penn State is fighting to stay in the thick of it with strong Big Ten ties and development success stories. As it stands, those three are in “make-a-move” territory, and June is shaping up to be chaos.

For now, the top-tier trench monster is playing it cool—posting emojis, taking visits, and letting coaches sweat it out. But the buzz is building. Wherever he lands, Immanuel Iheanacho is going to reshape somebody’s offensive line—and probably do it fast. So who’s getting the golden goose?