Kobe Bryant’s 5-Star Nephew Makes Major Career Decision
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USC Dealt Concerning Update on Kobe Bryant’s Nephew
USC Dealt Concerning Update on Kobe Bryant’s Nephew originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jett Washington is one of the top safeties in the 2025 class. He hasn’t committed yet, but plenty of schools are after him. USC has been in the mix, but now another program might be making a move. A recent prediction suggests that Oregon may be the possible frontrunner for the defensive back. The update signals a shift in momentum that could affect how the rest of Washington’s recruitment unfolds.
Jett Washington is one of the top safeties in the 2025 class. He hasn’t committed yet, but plenty of schools are after him. Interest has come from across the country. USC has been in the mix, but now another program might be making a move. A recent prediction suggests that Oregon may be the possible frontrunner. The shift is starting to get attention. For a player with Washington’s profile, even small changes in momentum can matter down the stretch.
Kobe Bryant poses for a portrait inside his office in Costa Mesa, California, in 2020.Harrison Hill / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong has logged an expert prediction for Washington to land at Oregon. The move raises eyebrows because USC had been firmly in the mix. The update signals a shift in momentum that could affect how the rest of Washington’s recruitment unfolds.
Washington is the nephew of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, a detail that has drawn national attention to his college decision. As part of the prediction graphic posted by On3 Recruits, Washington is shown in a Bishop Gorman uniform, smiling with Oregon’s logo below his name.
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According to On3’s recruiting prediction machine, Wiltfong’s pick comes with a 60% confidence level. That number carries weight given Wiltfong’s long-standing track record of accuracy in high-profile predictions. The news being that Oregon is favored to land him despite USC being in the mix has already drawn attention among fans and insiders.
If the current trend holds, Oregon could be the program best positioned to land one of the most talked-about defensive backs in the class.
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Related: USC Gets Huge News on 5-Star Nephew of Kobe Bryant
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
5-Star 2026 Safety Jett Washington, Nephew of Late NBA Legend Kobe Bryant, Nears Oregon Commitment
Jett Washington, a five-star safety from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, is nearing a decision that could shake up college football. Washington, the nephew of late NBA great Kobe Bryant, is ranked No. 27 overall and the No. 3 safety in the 2026 cycle by 247Sports. The 6’4.5″, 200-pound standout recently narrowed his list to Oregon and Alabama. Washington also considered Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Texas, but Oregon has remained consistent throughout the process. The decision is expected to be a major turning point in the recruiting landscape and could determine the future of the Oregon Ducks football program in the future.
Washington, the nephew of late NBA great Kobe Bryant, carries a high-profile legacy into his own athletic journey. Multiple programs are pursuing his commitment, but Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks have emerged as a strong contender. Washington’s choice is expected to be a major turning point in the recruiting landscape.
5-Star 2026 WR Jett Washington Poised to Shake Up Recruiting Rankings with Predicted Oregon Commitment
Five-star safety Jett Washington, one of the top defensive recruits in the 2026 class, appears to be leaning toward Oregon as he nears a college decision. The 6’4.5″, 200-pound standout from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas recently narrowed his list to Oregon and Alabama.
FONG BOMB: On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Oregon to land 5-star safety Jett Washington🦆 Washington is the nephew of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Intel: https://t.co/wqCbodqxhU pic.twitter.com/J8gKqxjWH3 — On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 15, 2025
Washington, the nephew of the late NBA icon Kobe Bryant, visited Eugene earlier this month and described the experience as highly positive.
“My time in Eugene was great,” he said. “What continues to excite me is what Dan Lanning is building and the connections I have with the coaches.”
According to sources close to the recruitment, Oregon currently holds the edge. Following that insight, an On3 RPM prediction was placed in favor of the Ducks. While USC was once a strong contender, the Trojans have faded from the picture.
Washington also considered Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Texas, but Oregon has remained consistent throughout the process. Currently, Oregon holds nine commitments and the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation. Washington would be the second five-star in the Ducks’ 2026 class, joining tight end Kendre Harrison.
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Oregon’s recent addition of four-star wide receiver Messiah Hampton, the top player from New York and No. 14 nationally at his position, only adds to the program’s recruiting momentum.
Washington is ranked No. 27 overall and the No. 3 safety in the 2026 cycle by 247Sports. Last season, he recorded 38 tackles, five interceptions, and helped lead Bishop Gorman to a state championship.
Entering his senior year, Washington continues to draw attention not only for his football talent but also for the legacy of being related to Bryant, who passed in 2020 after a celebrated 20-year NBA career that included five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Unless Alabama shifts the tide, Washington appears likely to stay out west and become a centerpiece of Oregon’s future.