Another day, another announcement from an Oregon Ducks target that goes in a different direction. After missing out on a pair of recruits to USC, Oregon’s former Pac-12 rival swooped in to steal another intriguing recruit away.
Four-star safety Myles Baker announced his commitment to Cal on Sunday, aligning himself with former Ducks defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi before his first season as head coach of his alma mater. Baker chose Cal over the Ducks and others, including Stanford, LSU and Alabama.
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The Ducks were initially a top contender in Baker’s recruitment when Lupoi, still on the Oregon staff, was recruiting him to come to Eugene. However, when Lupoi wound up taking the job in Berkley, he pulled Baker with him. Baker told Rivals that Lupoi was the difference maker in his decision.
Baker, a 6-foot-1 safety from Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California, is rated No. 241 nationally by Rivals and is the No. 21 player in the state. While new Oregon defensive coordinator Chris Hampton continued to pursue Baker, it felt like the decision was primarily between Cal and LSU.
Baker recorded 34 tackles and 10 for a loss in his junior season, while adding five pass deflections, two interceptions and one sack. He was originally scheduled to make his commitment on July 10, which is his mother’s birthday, but ultimately moved his decision up to lock down his recruitment with the Golden Bears.
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The Ducks still have the No. 13-ranked class nationally, but they only have five verbal commitments. We’ll have to wait and see what Dan Lanning does to improve the class later this spring.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 4-star Oregon S target Myles Baker announces college decision
