Oregon's 2025 5-star commitment at safety Trey McNutt is still another season away from beginning his college career, but he's already been to the Super Bowl and competed there.
In January of 2024 he was chosen by the Cleveland Browns as their representative at a Nike-sponsored event, "Next Ones." Thirty-two of the top athletes in the country were chosen to compete in a skills challenge, one from each NFL team, plus one international representative chosen by event organizers.
McNutt and the other participants got behind-the-scenes access to the workouts, sights and sounds of Super Bowl LVIII, a taste of the life they dream of as they finish their high school careers.
At the January award ceremony at the Cleveland Browns field house, McNutt met Browns DT Maurice Hurst, CB Denzel Ward and RB Nick Chubb and talked football with them.
McNutt told Kelly Russo of clevelandbrowns.com, "We really doing something and just taking it all in and taking the moment in. You got to take a moment in at the right time; can't overlook everything. It's been a dream all my life. So, I'm going to fulfill those dreams."
His mother LaToya said, "That's my baby boy, so I'm a big ball of emotions trying to hold back," she said. "Trey is just doing great things on and off the field. And so, just to see him reap some of the rewards and the recognition – he doesn't look for it, but to see it kind of come his way, those blessings. It's just a blessing and I couldn't be prouder of him. Excited for him and the opportunities that he has, and as a family. He's an inspiration and he wants to inspire kids."
The decision to attend Oregon is another step in that dream.
Trey McNutt's commitment ceremony got delayed by a July 19th global computer outage, took a side trip to Texas A&M, but it ended with gratitude and a "Shout."
The number one safety in the country, the highest-rated player Oregon has ever recruited at the position, announced his commitment to the Ducks in a ceremony at Shaker Heights High School before family, friends and teammates yesterday afternoon.
His message on social media read, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. Eugene I'm gonna give y'all everything I have. Let's Sco Ducks."
He's a fast, fluid, graceful athlete with incredible instincts and technique at the safety position, the number one safety in the country and number 19 prospect overall according to the 247 Sports Composite.
The Shaker Heights Raider star runs the 40 in a blazing 4.44. As a sophomore he recorded a 100 meter dash time of 10.82, 21.77 in the 200.
His technical skill and understanding of the game are no accident: McNutt's father Richard is defensive backs coach at Tennessee State, working with head coach Eddie George, the former OSU tailback, Heisman Trophy winner and four-time pro bowl selection. The elder McNutt also played three seasons at Ohio State and played on the 2002, 14-0 National Championship team. He's been in coaching for 17 years, with stops at Youngstown State, Toledo, Kent State, and Ohio State, even serving on the staff of the Cleveland Browns.
Early in his recruitment, Trey seemed a mortal cinch to wind up as a Buckeye. Asked about his father in a 2023 interview he told Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors, “He just said it’s a great program. He played in the 2002 championship, so yeah, it’s just amazing. I ain’t grow up in Columbus, but knowing that my family did, all the dogs who have been here, it's a great feeling knowing I could maybe have a chance to rep O-State.”
“I watch everybody, so I'll take little things from every other cornerback, safety,” McNutt said. “Just process the game, study the game, study how wide receivers move.”
“He just helps me out a lot. He just taught me how to do little things as a cornerback, how to just play the game.”
At Shaker Heights McNutt plays wide receiver and free safety for a squad that was 7-4 last year in the Greater Cleveland Conference. He paced the Raiders with 61 tackles (3 TFL), 12 PBU and 2 FF on defense, 611 receiving yards and 12 TD on offense.
His high school coach Alex Nicholson praises his leadership ability. In an interview with cleveland.com last August he said, "He's got a big sphere of influence, not only what he could do on the field but what he does off the field. It's the conversation he's starting to have with teammates. It's the encouragement in the hallways for guys getting to class, doing well in the classroom. That's the best stuff. And now you're seeing that cream rise to the top."
McNutt's combination of talent, football education and competitive maturity will make him an instant impact player for the 2025 Ducks. This is one of the biggest recruiting coups in school history, and Dan Lanning isn't done. Five-star safety Jonah Williams announces on August 24th, and Mighty Oregon is trending for him too.
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