This summer at the Oregon Ducks "Saturday Night Live" recruiting showcase event, several players stood out, including defensive commits MyKael Wright and Trikweze Bridges.

But arguably the best offensive player on the field at Autzen Stadium was a class of 2021 prospect who hadn't even started his sophomore year in high school - Seven McGee, the nation's No. 2 running back.

So, when the 5-foot-9, 175-pound electric athlete, out of East High School (Rochester, New York), decommitted in September it was a disappointment for the program.

In truth, McGee spent the next several months regretting the decision to re-open his commitment and decided Monday night that he had to re-up with the Ducks - this time for good.

"I'm done," he said. "This is where I want to be at. I never should've listened (to others) in the first place. I should've stayed committed. It's what people want to think or say about me... I don't care what anyone says about it. I'm committed. I'm home. I'm happy."

McGee, who picked up early offers from Nebraska, Oregon, Syracuse and USC, said he felt at home at Oregon from the beginning, but was almost immediately pressured to weigh his options when he first committed to the Ducks in April.

"A lot of people kept asking me, 'Why did you commit so early? Why did you do this? Why did you do that?' I felt like (Oregon) was where I wanted to go," he said. "Some people kept pressuring me and pressuring me, and I thought, 'If I decommit, it'll be over.' "

After decommitting in early fall, McGee almost immediately regretted the decision, but allowed the recruiting process to play out unattached for several weeks.

That changed after McGee had a long, heartfelt conversation with his grandma.

"I called my grandma and we sat on the phone for an hour or two - not too long ago," he said. "She was telling me, 'Do what's best for you. It's your life and your life decision. And nobody can take that away from you - no matter if it's your mom, your dad, your sister, your brother, your auntie, your uncle, nobody can take it away from you. Not even me. God put you in the situation where you've grown up wanting to go to your dream school and you have the opportunity to go to it. Take full advantage of your opportunity.' There was a moment of silence, and I said, 'You right.' I know where home is. That's where I want to be and that's where I want to go. I can do a lot in four years up there."

McGee is rated the nation's No. 2 running back and the No. 51 prospect overall by 247Sports, and while Oregon has recruited him as a pure ball-carrier he also has aspirations of playing some slot receiver.

"I want to play slot receiver and (running back), but coach (Jim) Mastro wants me at running back, so I'm going to play running back," he said. "But hopefully they line me up in the slot more, like a De'Anthony Thomas-type player."

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec