Lake Stevens star running back Limar flips commitment, signs with Oregon

Jayden Limar is staying in the Pacific Northwest.

The Lake Stevens High School star running back flipped his commitment from the University of Notre Dame and signed with the University of Oregon on Wednesday, the opening day of college football’s three-day early signing period.

“A big factor was just staying a little closer to my family, so they could come out to everything,” Limar said. “And then just the atmosphere they have there and the environment they’re building there is great for me.”

Limar, a four-star recruit, is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 17 senior running back in the nation.

The electric 5-foot-11, 190-pound back initially committed to Notre Dame in May, but said he continued to stay in touch with Oregon’s coaching staff. He traveled to Eugene for the Ducks’ victory over UCLA on Oct. 22 and made another trip to campus this past weekend.

“We’ve always had a great relationship and great contact,” Limar said. “And so once I started feeling like staying a bit closer to home, … everything ended up working out.”

Explosive and elusive.@jayden_limar is officially a Duck!#GoDucks x #NSD23— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) December 22, 2022

Limar led Lake Stevens to the Class 4A state title with a spectacular senior season this fall. He piled up 2,331 total yards and 40 touchdowns in 13 games, while unleashing a bevy of highlight-reel plays that propelled the Vikings to their program’s first-ever state championship.

Limar rushed for 2,003 yards and 36 TDs this season, while averaging 8.5 yards per carry. He added 26 catches for 328 yards and four TDs. And over four state playoff games, he totaled 897 yards and 15 TDs.

Limar joins a talented Oregon recruiting class that’s making a major splash in the early signing period. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Ducks had vaulted to No. 5 in ESPN’s 2023 recruiting class rankings.

Oregon is 9-3 this season under first-year coach Dan Lanning. The No. 15-ranked Ducks face North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28.

Limar said he plans to enroll early at Oregon and will head to campus in early January.

“It’s super exciting,” Limar said. “It’s very obvious that they’re building something special. I just can’t wait to be a part of it.”

TRIO OF GLACIER PEAK STANDOUTS SIGN

A trio of Glacier Peak seniors signed with Football Bowl Subdivision programs.

Three-star athlete Trey Leckner signed with Washington State University, three-star tight end Cooper Jensen signed with Oregon State University and two-star offensive tackle Joseph Johnson signed with Army.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Leckner was a versatile playmaker for the Grizzlies the past two seasons. During his 2021 junior season, he totaled 1,550 yards and 23 TDs while primarily playing running back. This season, he moved to receiver and hauled in 28 catches for 557 yards and 13 TDs, while adding 183 yards and two TDs on the ground. He committed to Washington State this past April.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Jensen is the No. 44 senior tight end recruit in the nation, according to 247Sports. He had 22 catches for 339 yards and five TDs in eight games this season, while also playing a key blocking role in Glacier Peak’s rushing attack. He committed to Oregon State in October of 2021.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Johnson anchored the Grizzlies’ offensive line at right tackle, where he was a standout pass protector and run blocker. He received an offer from Army on Oct. 20 and committed Nov. 23.

SEVERAL FORMER LOCAL STANDOUTS TRANSFER

Several former local high school standouts announced they are transferring to Division I programs.

Former Monroe standout two-way lineman Josh Jerome is transferring to the University of Hawaii. The 6-foot-1, 280-pound defensive lineman spent the past five seasons at Eastern Washington University, where he totaled 24 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 44 career games. Jerome helped lead Monroe to the 4A state quarterfinals during his 2017 senior season.

Former Lakewood standout dual-threat quarterback Jared Taylor is transferring to Eastern Washington University. He spent the past three seasons at Feather River College in Northern California, leading the Golden Eagles to back-to-back undefeated campaigns the past two years. This fall, he completed 69% of his passes for 1,961 yards, 24 TDs and only one interception. He also rushed for 847 yards and nine TDs. Taylor led Lakewood to the 2A state quarterfinals during his 2019 senior season.

Former Marysville Pilchuck standout kicker Ashton Wolff is transferring to Colorado State University. He spent this past season at Central Washington University after helping Marysville Pilchuck reach the 3A state semifinals during his 2021 senior season.