Kobe Bryant's Nephew Jett Washington Announces College Football Commitment

The Oregon Ducks just landed a major win, and not just on the recruiting board.Four-star safety Jett Washington, the nephew of the late Kobe Bryant, committed to Oregon on Thursday night, ESPN reported.

He chose the Ducks over perennial powerhouses Alabama and USC.

Ranked as ESPNs No.

1 safety and the No.

22 overall prospect in the 2026 class, Washington brings both elite talent and high-profile pedigree to Eugene.Washington, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound standout from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, enters his senior year as a third-year starter on one of the top prep programs in the country.

Last season, he racked up 38 tackles and five interceptions.

Off the field, he helped lead Gorman to back-to-back Nevada 5A state basketball championships, making him one of the most athletic two-sport stars in the nation.But it's what Washington represents that might matter most to Oregon.

After a string of high-profile recruiting losses this spring, including five-star athletes Jackson Cantwell and Jared Curtis, the Ducks were in desperate need of a statement.

Washingtons pledge is exactly that.Oregon was among the first major programs to pursue Washington, building a strong connection through defensive backs coach Chris Hampton.

That early trust paid off.

"I loved the way they treated me out there," Washington told ESPN.

"My relationship with them has been going the right way ever since I started talking to them."With Washington on board, Oregon now holds six commitments in the ESPN 300 for 2026.

He becomes the highest-ranked defensive recruit in their class and joins defensive tackles Tony Cumberland and Viliami Moala as key pieces on that side of the ball.While Kobe Bryants legacy looms large, Jett Washington is carving a path of his ownone built on discipline, power, and versatility.

His decision to commit to Oregon gives the Ducks a foundational piece for the future and a compelling figure fans won't forget.And if the Mamba Mentality runs in the family, the Pac-12, or whatever Oregon's new conference landscape becomes, might not be ready for what's coming.Related: Veteran MLB Coach Steps Away Due To Health ConcernsKobe Bryant's Nephew Jett Washington Announces College Football Commitment first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 21, 2025.

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