Keisean Nixon

Keisean Nixon and Rahyme Johnson on an official visit to Oregon State

(Courtesy of Rahyme Johnson)

Update: Mark Helfrich fired by Oregon Ducks after four seasons

The Sunday night text message was direct and clear.

It also left a lot to be desired for Rivals four-star linebacker Rahyme Johnson, an Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers target.

"Look forward to seeing you soon," Helfrich's message to Johnson read. "Remember, one bad season good or bad doesn't define a program! We took some lumps this year for the first time in a long time but the foundation has bee laid for another great era of Duck Football!"

Since then, however, Johnson hasn't heard from anyone with the program - not Helfrich or defensive coordinator Brady Hoke or linebacker coach Don Pellum.

And while Johnson knows that the group is busy, he's also a little disappointed in the lack of communication.

"It bothers me a little bit, being that those are the coaches that recruited me," he said. "If they are gone, I'm not sure what would happen with the coaches coming in. It's a little disappointing... I'm sure not a lot of other recruits have talked to them either, so we'll just have to wait and see."

In the meantime, the 6-foot-4, 196-pound linebacker, out of Salesian High School (Los Angeles, California), has seen teammate Deommodore Lenoir decommit from Oregon and is weighing his options.

After a Civil War visit to Oregon State, Johnson indicated another Pac-12 North program has entered the picture as a contender for his services.

"Oregon State, it was a complete different turnout from what I expected," he said. "The most interesting thing was the game atmosphere. It started pouring raining and I went inside because I'm a Cali guy, and I'm watching the game inside and everybody is still there and it is still rocking. I was like, 'That's crazy.' The recruits were inside and the whole stadium is still outside, still into it. It was crazy to see how the fans really love the team."

While Johnson insists a coaching change at Oregon won't affect his feelings about the Ducks, he was also quick to share the his visit to Corvallis has become a factor.

"I'm definitely more interested in Oregon State, not just because they beat Oregon, but half of the recruiting thing is getting up there and seeing it," he said. "When I was there it was raining, but being up there and seeing it - the academics, the city, how the fans react to the team... and they need help. I can go in and start right away, or at least contribute."

Johnson plans to wait and see how the Oregon coaching situation plays out, then make a decision, but Oregon State has clearly emerged as a top contender for his services.

"I'm shooting for early January," he said. "That coaching situation might push that back, because they are one of my top schools. Hopefully, they can sort it out soon."

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec