Christian Gonzalez was a 4-star high school prospect when he committed to Colorado, and then he was rated as a 4-star transfer player after he decided to leave Colorado last month. The second-year cornerback was viewed by Buffaloes fans and media alike as one of if not the best player on the Colorado defense.

And when CU corners coach Demetrice Martin left Boulder for Eugene, Gonzalez decided to start looking around. As it turns out, he’ll follow Martin to the Ducks. Gonzalez announced on Saturday he’s coming to Oregon.

Gonzalez had 53 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups this past season. He had 25 tackles in six games—all starts—as a true freshman in 2020, adding five pass breakups. A 4-star recruit out of the 2020 class, per the 247 Composite, the Texas native chose Colorado over offers from more than 20 Power Five programs.

He’ll have three seasons to play for the Ducks.

It’s a massive win for Oregon, for Martin, and for new head coach Dan Lanning. That Martin knows the ins and outs of Gonzalez’s game should help smooth the transition a bit more. That Lanning can nab a former all-league honorable mention selection at a position of serious need right away, and to get that player from within the conference, is a major coup.

Among Pac-12 corners who played at least 150 snaps, Gonzalez scored the 11th-best coverage grade from PFF—ahead of anyone from Oregon in 2021. He allowed receptions just 54.5% of the time he was targeted (ninth-best). Per PFF’s tracking data, Gonzalez allowed a catch every 14 coverage snaps, the fifth-best mark in the conference. He has a legitimate chance to shine in Lanning’s defense.

It’s the second defensive transfer for Oregon since Lanning’s arrival, joining former Washington defensive tackle Sam Taimani.

Gonzalez will enter a room set to return Trikweze Bridges, Dontae Manning, Jaylin Davies, Darren Barkins, and Avante Dickerson, as well as add 4-star 2022 signee Jalil Tucker. The 6-foot-2 Gonzalez should be viewed as a favorite to grab one of the Ducks’ starting corner spots after departures from Mykael Wright (NFL Draft) and DJ James (transfer).