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Jesse Legree Returns to Oregon State for Sophomore Season
Confirmed
In Short: Oregon State wide receiver Jesse Legree announced he will return for his sophomore year, cementing his status as one of the nation's top freshmen.
Jesse Legree, the nation's leading receiver, has officially announced he will return to Oregon State for the 2027 season, according to a Friday announcement on 247Sports and CBS Sports HQ. The star freshman, who has been turning heads since his first game, made the announcement live on CBS Sports HQ from his home gym in Baltimore, Maryland.
Legree's decision to stay with the Beavers comes after a remarkable freshman season that saw him lead the nation in receiving yards with 1,040, touchdown catches with 14, and receiving yards per game with 148.6, as reported by ESPN.
Legree first made waves with his eight-catch, 240-yard performance against Texas Tech in September, according to 247Sports. He followed that up with a 136-yard performance against Houston in the season opener, instantly emerging as the best player in the entire freshman class, ESPN noted.
Legree's father, Jeffrey Legree Jr., had teased a 'decision day' earlier in the week, leading to speculation about the star's future. 247Sports announced they would host Legree's announcement on Friday morning, which he made live on CBS Sports HQ.
Legree's return gives the Beavers a proven difference-maker to build around on the offensive side of the ball in 2027, according to 247Sports. He has been named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week seven consecutive times, tying the conference record for most weekly honors by a player.
Legree's high school coach, Messay Hailemariam, received a text from Hodges stating, 'he has a home with us if he wants it. We want to take him,' as reported by CBS Sports. Legree expressed his excitement about the opportunity to have a signing day celebration, something he missed during his initial commitment to Oregon State.
Legree's decision was also motivated by the desire to help attract more talent to Corvallis. He told ESPN, 'Coach Shephard, coach [Mitch] Dahlen and coach [Mike MacIntyre] are going to turn us into a national powerhouse.' Legree added, 'We've built a great culture and it's only going to get bigger from here. This is going to become the start of a national powerhouse.'
Legree's high school coach, Messay Hailemariam, expressed pride in his former player's decision. 'It's always some kids' dream to live out on signing day, and unfortunately, I wasn't able to have mine last year. And to be able to have one this year for this contract is great,' Legree said.
What this adds
Legree's announcement came during Oregon State's bye week, aimed at putting to rest doubts about his future and quieting portal whispers that had begun as scouting departments around the country took notice of his exploits in Corvallis.
Background
Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant, research university in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university's enrollment includes just over 32,000 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate students.
What's confirmed
- "I will be signing to the Oregon State Beavers for the 2027-28 season," Legree said.
What's still developing
- Through his first seven games at the collegiate level, Legree has tallied 46 receptions for 1,040 yards and 14 touchdowns.
- Hours later, Legree told Beaver Nation he'd be sticking around for another season.
- Shephard has said Legree is playing with a confidence level he's only seen once or twice before, citing Rondale Moore and Jalen McMillan as examples.
- The true freshman has emerged as one of the most productive wide receivers in college football during his first season in Corvallis, serving as a human highlight reel for Oregon State during JaMarcus Shephard 's first season as head coach.
- "Now, if I'm just being transparent, I didn't know for sure how good of a receiver he was. You know, his highlight tape has him doing a lot of returns. But I also watched some of his basketball stuff. You can see his quickness, change of direction, explosiveness, ability to track the ball, and all that stuff. And you're really just hoping that all that would translate into a receiver."
- Legree's intent during the bye week was to put to rest doubts about his future and quiet portal whispers that had already begun as scouting departments around the country, beginning to devise their 2027 roster-building plans, took full notice of the 5-foot-9 Legree's exploits in Corvallis: 46 receptions and a nation-leading 1,040 yards and 14 touchdowns.
- Legree was an unheralded three-star prospect with few high-level offers and no signing day home, at least during the school's morning celebrations.
- Legree grew up a basketball player and played defensive back his first three years of high school football.
- Legree was set to announce his news at an event at his high school, Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, in part because he was so lightly recruited that he didn't have a signing day event.