Guyer Star Zane Rowe Commits to Oregon, Citing Development Track Record Under Dan Lanning

Denton Guyer’s two-way terror off the edge, Zane Rowe, ended months of speculation Friday night by pledging to Oregon during a live announcement on the 247Sports YouTube channel. The junior defensive end chose the Ducks over North Carolina, Washington and Oklahoma, a program he had committed to in April 2024 before reopening his recruitment.

Rowe, listed as a Class of 2027 prospect, said head coach Dan Lanning’s daily involvement with the outside linebackers and his history of producing first-round talent sealed the decision.

“A big part of it is the education piece and the development piece,” Rowe explained. “Coach Lanning is going to be a part of my development. Every day at practice, he coaches the outside linebackers. His track record goes all the way back to Georgia. He coached Travon Walker, the No. 1 draft pick. At the end of the day, that’s my dreams, that’s my goals. I believe Oregon’s going to be the best spot for me to chase that.”

The 6-foot-4 edge rusher backed up the lofty praise with a junior campaign that bordered on video-game numbers: 76 tackles, 26 for loss, eight sacks, 14 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two recoveries, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. The production earned him District 5-6A Most Valuable Player honors and the Denton Record-Chronicle All-Area Football Defensive Player of the Year award.

Rowe’s impact stretched beyond the box score. Anchoring a Guyer defensive line that has now reached six regional finals in seven years, he set the tone weekly, most memorably harassing Lewisville quarterback Tre Williams throughout their 2023 matchup.

College coaches began tracking Rowe early. He logged significant varsity snaps as a freshman in 2023 and followed with a sophomore breakout: 75 tackles (60 solo), 19 tackles for loss, nine sacks, 19 hurries, five pass breakups and four forced fumbles. The trajectory has only pointed upward, making his senior season one of the most anticipated in the Dallas–Fort Worth area this fall.

Rowe will sign with the Ducks after his senior year and arrive in Eugene equipped with four years of varsity film and a reputation for wrecking game plans. For Oregon, the commitment adds another high-motor pass-rusher to a defense already stockpiled under Lanning’s watch. For Guyer, it marks the continuation of a pipeline that keeps sending elite talent to the Power Four.

Oregon, North Carolina, Washington and Oklahoma all pursued Rowe to the finish, but only one coaching staff could claim both a national profile and the promise of daily tutelage from a head coach who doubles as position coach. Rowe believes that combination, paired with Oregon’s academic support, gives him the clearest path to Saturday stardom—and, eventually, a Sunday paycheck.