There have been a number of big-time prospects emerging from the Oregon high school football ranks in recent years, but none quite like the top in-state talent in the 2018 recruiting cycle.

247Sports lists Crescent Valley athlete Talanoa Hufanga as the highest-rated Oregon prospect in the history of their rankings.

And he's about to come off the board.

Rated the nation's No. 1 athlete, Hufanga has set a decision date for December 28 - after the early signing period - and is down to a final six of Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, UCLA, USC and Utah.

However, one more program is trying to work its way back into the fold.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound prospect recently took an unofficial visit, along with his high school coach, to meet with new Oregon State Beavers coach Jonathan Smith, and the initial conversation went well.

"We visited with him for close to an hour, 45 minutes - just hearing about the direction of the program," Hufanga said.

As for whether or not it as enough to re-enter the mix, the local star indicated he needs to have a conversation with his family.

"I have to discuss that with my parents," he said. "We'll see where it goes from there."

The Ducks, on the other hand, have been in the mix (and near the top) for Hufanga's services for some time.

This week's departure of Willie Taggart to Florida State was a blow to their chances, but was not a deciding factor of their fate.

"I probably won't take a visit there anymore, but they are still in the mix because I've been there so many times," Hufanga said.

Expect a decision before the end of the month from the highly-coveted prospect, who is suddenly talking to both the Ducks and Beavers.

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec