5-star CB Offord: Phil Knight played 'big role' in flipping to Oregon

CORVALLIS, OREGON - SEPTEMBER 14: Phil Knight stands on the sidelines during a game between the Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers during the second half at Reser Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Corvallis, Oregon.
Tom Hauck / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Oregon apparently has Nike co-founder Phil Knight to thank for landing the nation's top cornerback, Na'eem Offord.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Offord announced Wednesday that he was flipping his commitment from Ohio State to Oregon - a decision he later revealed was influenced by Knight and the promise of his own shoe.

"He played a big role, like a huge, big role," Offord told CBS Sports' John Talty of Knight. "He's actually waiting on me to get up there; he's got a lot of stuff planned for me. He's gonna help me make my shoe."

Knight, 86, is a graduate of Oregon and was a member of the school's track and field team under coach Bill Bowerman, with whom he later co-founded Nike. He's made a number of donations to his alma mater over the years totaling up to $1 billion.

Offord is the No. 4-ranked recruit in the class of 2025, per ESPN.

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