The Oregon Ducks football program is hoping to build a pipeline to national powerhouse Mater Dei High School in the 2019 recruiting class.

And the first two pieces are in place.

After landing four-star defensive tackle Keyon Ware-Hudson earlier in the month, Oregon again hit paydirt, landing the commitment of 247Sports four-star linebacker Mase Funa, the nation's No. 5 player at his position.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound athlete, out of Santa Ana, California, is the highest-rated linebacker commit in program history, and chose the Ducks over offers from California, Florida State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA and USC:

Prior to this weekend's trip to Eugene to take in the spring game, Funa indicated he was close to making a decision.

"So, recently I've been talking to my parents, and we're close to putting out a top five, but I think I should be ready to commit soon," he told 1080 The Fan.

With no other visits scheduled and a close relationship with Ware-Hudson, it seemed likely Oregon would add Funa sooner rather than later.

On Saturday morning, he made it official.

Oregon's 2019 recruiting class currently consists of three pledges - Funa, Ware-Hudson and 247Sports three-star cornerback Marquis Caldwell.

But the Ducks likely aren't done adding to their haul this weekend.

Last year, Oregon turned the spring game weekend into a celebration, and secured commitments from seven players, six of whom eventually signed with Oregon.

Can the Ducks approach last year's haul?

Cristobal and his staff are off to an impressive start.

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec