Tucson 'place I want to represent' for Oregon-bound Salpointe Catholic star Elijah Rushing

The opportunity to play for renowned defensive coaches was too good to pass up for Tucsonan Elijah Rushing.

The five-star standout from Salpointe Catholic High School, rated by 247Sports.com as the top edge rusher for 2024 and best overall prospect in Arizona, signed with the Oregon Ducks during the early signing period on Wednesday.

Rushing, a 6-6, 251-pounder, is second-highest-rated signee in Oregon’s ’24 class, which ranks fourth nationally, per 247. It’s the second official recruiting class at Oregon for head coach Dan Lanning, who was previously a defensive coordinator for Georgia’s stout defense that helped the Bulldogs win a national championship and churn out a plethora of NFL Draft picks.

Lanning’s defensive coordinator at Oregon, Tosh Lupoi, helped the Alabama Crimson Tide win two national championships under Nick Saban, before a stint in the NFL. Lupoi was at the forefront of Rushing’s commitment and got the Tucson product to decommit from the hometown Arizona Wildcats in October, after Rushing initially bucked the trend of Salpointe Catholic stars leaving Tucson for other Power 5 programs. Fellow Lancer Keona Wilhite also backed out of his commitment to the UA and flipped to Washington.

They’re not the only Salpointe Catholic players to leave their hometowns. It’s well-documented. Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson, Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom, Washington offensive lineman Matteo Mele and UCLA offensive lineman Bruno Fina (son of UA great John Fina) are just some of the more recent ones.

Except those aforementioned players, unlike Rushing, never pledged to the UA.

In his decommitment post on Twitter, Rushing said, “Although it is evident that the program is on the rise, I have to consider my future goal. I have come to conclusion that the program is not the right fit for me to take my next step with regard to my development.”

The decision soured many Arizona fans hopeful to see a hometown superstar stay home to elevate the local college’s football program, just like Sean Elliott with did for UA men’s basketball in 1985. Instead, Rushing had a change of heart and made a decision he believes is the best for him.

At Oregon, “They know what the best of the best looks like and they develop some of the best of the best,” Rushing said Wednesday.

Since the regular season ended, Rushing’s older brother Cruz Rushing, who transferred from Florida to play safety at Arizona in the spring, entered the transfer portal.

Now that the younger Rushing officially signed to Oregon, the edge rusher will participate in the Ducks’ pre-Fiesta Bowl practices in Eugene and Phoenix.

“I’m really excited,” Rushing said. “This is something I’ve been looking forward to for a year now. I’m glad I ended up where I’m at. I’m just excited because I like to learn; I’m like a sponge for information. I want to be the best person I can possibly be. That’s something that’s exciting for me, having the opportunity to leave early.”

Rushing joined “Spears and Ali” on ESPN Tucson 1490-AM this week to talk about signing with Oregon, his message to critical UA fans, and what the Old Pueblo means to him. Here’s what he said:

What did Early Signing Day mean to you?

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A: “It’s huge. It’s the start of a new journey, a new chapter in my life. To put my family name on the map, it’s a huge blessing and opportunity to play for the Ducks.”

What was the ultimate deciding factor to sign with Oregon, and what made it the right program for you?

A: “They were the most consistent. When I got to reassess everything, they just made the most sense. You got special people in coach Lupoi and coach Lanning, two defensive minds that you want to play for. They’re energetic guys and that’s something any defensive player wants to get behind.”

What do you think you need improve on at Oregon?

A: “My get-off and just tweaking any moves I need to. I know I’m not perfect. I’m not a perfect pass-rusher and there are some things I need to clean up. I just want to go there, diagnose what I need to clean up, what needs to be fixed and just go from there. That’s my main focus when I get to Oregon.”

With Oregon joining the Big Ten next year, is there one future conference opponent you’re eager to play against?

A: “My personal opinion is playing Michigan and playing in the Big House, the big environment. They have different traditions and it would be cool to go over there and experience that.”

For Arizona fans who were critical of your decision to flip from the UA to Oregon, what’s your message to them?

A: “I don’t really have too many words. I can’t please everyone. I’m just a kid who is making the best decision for me. I can’t be everything everyone wants me to be. I’m going to be me at the end of the day and do what’s best for me and my family. It is what it is in my opinion. I can’t please everyone. I’m 17, I’m still growing and still maturing. The decisions I make I gotta stand on. I’m just doing what’s best for me.”

You’re about to live away from Tucson for the first time in your life; what did growing up here mean to you?

A: “It’s a huge part of my heart. This city, it’s so different. It’s not like other places, like Phoenix. There’s just a love and a pride here that I felt. No matter what, I’m glad I came from here. I don’t care what anyone says. I’m from Tucson, born and raised. I claim this (city). I don’t claim nowhere else. This is me, this is my home and this is the place I want to represent. This is something that’s huge for me. The people and the aspects of the city are beautiful. I’m blessed to be from here.”