The Oregon Ducks entered the 2018 recruiting cycle with several key needs - beefed up offensive and defensive lines, a quarterback, several wide receivers, a tight end or two and a pair of safeties.
But one of the less-publicized needs was for a new longsnapper with the graduation of Tanner Carew.
Just weeks after adding U.S. Army All-American longsnapper Karsten Battles, Oregon added a second specialist, as Peyton Yanagi announced his commitment to the Ducks over the weekend.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound athlete and preferred walk-on, out of Honolulu, Hawaii, is rated the nation's No. 4 player at his position.
For Yanagi, who hails from Marcus Mariota's St. Louis School, his commitment to the Ducks centered on his connections to the program and his desire to win at a a high level.
"I would probably say the biggest factor on committing to Oregon was the ability to go and chase championships," he said. "Another factor was reuniting with my brother who works in the (equipment) room."
The Polynesian Bowl selection is also aware of the competition he'll face with Battles, a scholarship prospect at the same position.
It is not something he plans to worry about going forward.
"I'm happy for him," Yanagi said. "He's one hell of a snapper and deserves the scholarship. As for competition, I'm not going to speculate."
As a preferred walk-on, Yanagi's spot on the roster is guaranteed, but he does not count against Oregon's scholarship allotment for the class of 2018.
-- Andrew Nemec
anemec@oregonian.com
@AndrewNemec