"Coach Lanning he's a different type of coach": 5-star safety Trey McNutt has impressive comments for Ducks brass before official visit

By Maliha

Modified Jul 26, 2024 10:26 GMT

Five-star safety Trey McNutt is one of the top defensive playmakers in the 2025 class. He is currently considering his options, with Oregon and Texas A&M emerging as his top choices. This intense competition has led him to push his commitment date to August 3.

McNutt's official visit to Oregon took place over the weekend of June 21. He had the opportunity to engage with the coaching staff and experience the program firsthand. Before embarking on his trip, McNutt shared some striking insights about head coach Dan Lanning.

“Coach Lanning he’s a different type of coach,” McNutt told On3. “And he’s a different type of person. Oregon and their program is on the uprise and going into this season I feel like they’re going to make some moves.”

Oregon is currently the On3 RPM favorite for McNutt. The prospect's father was a three-year letter winner with Ohio State and part of its 2002 national championship team. Despite this connection, McNutt did not schedule an official visit with Ohio State this summer, opting instead to visit Oregon, Texas A&M, Florida, and USC.

However, McNutt's admiration for Lanning's coaching style and vision for the program is evident.

“Coach Dan, his passion and how he is as a coach, he’s just different. I can see that they’re building the program up and they’re trying to get a national championship. They want it over there.”

According to On3, Trey McNutt is the No. 47 prospect in the 2025 cycle, the No. 2 safety prospect, and the No. 2 prospect in Ohio. 247 Sports places him as the No. 23 prospect in the 2025 cycle, the No. 1 safety prospect, and the No. 2 prospect in Ohio.

During the 2023 season, McNutt recorded 61 tackles, three tackles for loss, 12 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles, while contributing on offense with 611 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Trey McNutt set to visit Texas A&M

Texas A&M has become a late favorite to earn a pledge from Trey McNutt. He visited the Aggies officially the weekend of June 14 and is set to return to College Station on Thursday for another look at what the program has to offer.

“I just have to get another look at A&M,” McNutt told On3. “I just had to get back down there."

Head coach Mike Elko and defensive backs coach Ishmael Aristide have been two big names in the Aggies’ recruitment efforts, diligently working to bring Trey McNutt to the team.

“Mike Elko, it’s cool having a defensive head coach. Having him as also a safeties coach because he has a great mind as a defensive coach. Also with Coach (Ishmael Aristide)…growing as a coach, all of them have been recruiting me hard.”

Trey McNutt has been particularly impressed with the elite reputation of the Texas A&M coaching staff, especially in developing safeties. The Ducks 2025 class ranks No. 5 in the On3 team rankings. The class is headlined by five-star prospects Dakorien Moore and Dallas Wilson.