Theo Howard

Theo Howard poses in an Oregon jersey during a visit to Eugene this weekend

(Courtesy of Theo Howard)

Most recruiting evaluators believe that on-field success translates to the recruiting trail the following year.

If that theory is correct, the Oregon Ducks should have quite a recruiting haul for the class of 2016, given that they appeared in the first-ever college football playoff national championship game and Marcus Mariota won the Heisman Trophy.

So far, Oregon is providing pretty compelling evidence that the theory is correct.

The Ducks, not known for snagging early commitments, added their fifth prospect to the class of 2016 on Sunday, as Rivals four-star wide receiver Theo Howard announced his commitment to Oregon over offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin and many others:

Thank u to everybody involved in my recruiting process. I have just COMMITTED to the UNIVERSITY OF OREGON.🐣🐣 pic.twitter.com/gjm5Gk2pXA — Theo Howard (@theohoward2) March 15, 2015

Howard was on a visit to the University of Oregon this weekend and decided to announce his decision.

Last season, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound playmaker from Westlake High School (California) caught 52 passes for 869 yards and seven touchdowns.

Oregon's class is currently ranked No. 16 in the country by 247Sports, and three of its five commitments are pass-catchers: four-star wide receiver Dillon Mitchell, three-star tight end Cam McCormick and Howard.

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec