— Hillside four-star junior running back Jamal Elliott holds 22 scholarship offers, but his latest from the University of Oregon is a life-long dream that has come to fruition.

“Everybody that knows me in Durham, knows growing up that Oregon was always the school I wanted,” Elliott said. “Since middle school, I felt like Oregon fit my style of play. I was just excited when I got the call.

“I never though I’d get an offer from Oregon because they don’t really recruit in North Carolina. To have Oregon – my dream school – it meant a lot to me.”

Elliott announced the news on Tuesday via Twitter after receiving the offer from Oregon co-offensive coordinator and run-game coordinator Mario Cristobal over the phone.

Blessed to receive an offer from The University Of Oregon pic.twitter.com/AMg3mJO10a — Jamal Elliott (@jamalelliott) March 21, 2017

Elliott, a lifelong Ducks fan, said former running backs LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas were players he studied and modeled his game after growing up as a young football player.

“How they used those three running backs, it reminded me of me,” Elliott said. “It made me feel like I could fit in perfectly with Oregon, especially with how they used Dee Thomas.

“I’m an all-purpose running back. I can play the slot or get in the backfield. I can damage a team’s defense either way. Slot, special teams – it doesn’t matter. I’m just a versatile back, so I can do it all.”

In addition to Oregon, the four-star running back also holds offers from Appalachian State, Boston College, UNC-Charlotte, Duke, East Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, Louisiana State, Mississippi State, NC State, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Oregon, Tennessee and Virginia Tech – in no particular order – are Elliott’s top considerations. He will visit Blacksburg on April 8, Knoxville on April 22 and make the cross-country trip to Eugene on April 29.

Elliott provided no timetable for his commitment but said he hopes to make a decision sooner than later.

“Once I take my visit, and if things go well, you never now; that [Oregon] could be the school I end up at,” he said.

Elliott told HighSchoolOT.com Wednesday that LSU was among his top schools, but the standout junior announced Thursday via Twitter than the Tigers were no longer in the running.

LSU's recent head coaching change – firing Les Miles and promoting interim Ed Orgeron – was the main factor in trimming his top schools to three, but Elliott said Thursday that he hasn't completely ruled out the Tigers.

"[The] coaching change messed me up, but you never know," Elliott said. "Anything can change."

Elliott transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla, after the 2015 season but returned to Durham in September.



He tallied 83 carries for 800 yards and 9 touchdowns with the Hornets in five games. He also owned an average of 8.2 yards per carry and 136.8 yards rushing per game.



Elliott also recorded a kickoff return touchdown against Cardinal Gibbons on Oct. 6, traveling 99 yards to put the Hornets up, 40-35, with less than a second to play.

Jamal Elliott Highlights

For the latest Triangle-area high school football recruiting updates, follow Jon Stout on Twitter.