Oregon Ducks 2026

[wizenheimer]

maybe it's unnecessary but I thought it was time for an updated 2026 Ducks thread. Pretend the last 5 days didn't happen

take it for what it's worth: I talked to a friend who has generally been right about what's happening at Oregon. Not always but mostly. He told me today that contrary to the accepted wisdom, Lanning and staff don't really have a good handle on what Dante Moore is going to do. And that even now, Dante may not know. It's kind of locking the Ducks into an uncomfortable limbo since QB is such and important position

my friend thinks that both Dylan Raiola and Sam Leavitt may be waiting for Dante's decision. Leavitt is definitely slow-walking his transfer process. The thinking is that Raiola may be willing to transfer and wait a year behind Moore, much like Moore was behind Gabriel. But that's not certain. Leavitt won't wait, but even if Moore leaves the Ducks may prefer Raiola over Leavitt. This also seems to be the conventional wisdom among Duck bloggers

the game against Indiana clearly showed Moore needs more experience before going to the NFL. He desperately needs to work on his processing speed. It also probably dropped him down a bit in the draft order...which would significantly drop his guaranteed money in the NFL

the deadline for entering the portal is the 16th. However, players in the portal can take their time deciding on destinations. it can happen in March

 

[wizenheimer]

Luke Moga and Blake Purchase are entering the portal

but Tatum Tuioti announced he's returning for his senior season; probably why Purchase is leaving. Waiting for decisions by Matayo and A'mauri Washington on the DLine; and Thineman at safety

 

[wizenheimer]

first Bear...next Tuioti...then Matayo:

 

[wizenheimer]

TE Andrew Olesh from Penn St. is transferring to Oregon

 

[THE HCP]

Our QB staying? His play in the playoffs will likely hurt his draft stock no? Which would in turn have an affect/effect on his draft positioning?

 

[wizenheimer]

Our QB staying? His play in the playoffs will likely hurt his draft stock no? Which would in turn have an affect/effect on his draft positioning?

unknown if he's staying. I've been told the coaches aren't sure at least not by yesterday.

and yes, his draft stock probably took a drop because the Indiana highlighted his lack of experience and that's he's not great at processing speed. Has a ton of arm talent but that's not enough in the NFL

 

[MickZagger]

TE Andrew Olesh from Penn St. is transferring to Oregon

I remember when we were recruiting him hard out of high school

 

[MickZagger]

What happened to the British guy who never really played much football but was an athletic freak?

Is he progressing at all?

 

[MickZagger]

Vander Ploog transfers

 

[wizenheimer]

The Ducks return their entire DLine of Tuioti, Matayo, Bear, Washington. They also landed TE Andrew Olesh from Penn St.; and a kicker, punter, and long snapper. Those last 3 don't sound too important, but the actually are

*******************************************

but the outgoing portal activity has been wild:

QB Austin Novosad
QB Luke Moga
RB Jayden Limar
RB Makhi Hughes (Houston)
RB Jay Harris
HB Zach Grace
WR Cooper Perry
WR Justius Lowe (San Diego State)
WR Kyle Kasper (BYU)
TE Vander Ploog
OG Lipe Moala
DL Jericho Johnson
DL Xadavien Sims
DL Ashton Porter
DL Tionne Gray
ED Blake Purchase
ED Tobi Haastrup
LB Kamar Mothudi
CB Jahlil Florence (Missouri)
CB Dakoda Fields (Oklahoma)
CB Sione Laulea
CB Daylen Austen
SAF Kingston Lopa (Cal)
SAF Solomon Davis (San Diego State)

(you also have to note the graduating seniors:

RB Noah Whittington
WR Malik Benson
WR Gary Bryant Jr.
OT Isaiah World
OT Alex Harkey
OG Emmanuel Pregnon
OG Matthew Bedford
C Charlie Pickard
LB Bryce Boettcher
CB Theran Johnson
CB Jadon Canady
K Atticus Sappington
K Andrew Boyle
P James Ferguson-Reynolds
P Ross James
LS Luke Basso)

probably a lot of reasons for all of the roster churn

* losing the OC and DC
* guys want to start & play and Oregon is returning a lot of 1st string talent
* new philosophies by the incoming OC and DC
* one year NIL contracts that have been reduced or not renewed
* potential processing by Lanning & Staff

again, the deadline for entering the portal is the 16th. Player in the portal can take a long time to land somewhere else

Oregon can go shopping in the portal for depth as depth-level players won't command the type of NIL compensation as stars. It's also possible for players in the portal to leave the portal and return

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

 

[kjironman1]

Our QB staying? His play in the playoffs will likely hurt his draft stock no? Which would in turn have an affect/effect on his draft positioning?

Hope not. Didn’t think he was the one at the beginning of the season and I’m sure he isn’t now.

 

[Hoopguru]

Dante may not want to compete with Raiola and Jr. for the starting position as Lanning would require? If he can go pro and warm the bench for a couple years somewhere, that might appeal to him.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I don't think Raiola would beat him out next year. Moore got ya'll to the final 4. He needs to continue getting better, but so does Raiola. I think if Moore stays it would be with some guarantees and still 4-5 million in NIL next year.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I'll play QB for $1 million.

 

[e_blazer]

I'll play QB for $1 million.

How much do we have to for you NOT to play QB?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

How much do we have to for you NOT to play QB?

$50.

 

[e_blazer]

$50.

Can you start a Go Fund Me?

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Dylan Raiola is a highly touted sophomore quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, known for his elite arm talent, big-play ability, and status as a top national recruit. A transfer who initially committed to Georgia, he chose Nebraska due to family ties (his father is former Husker Dominic Raiola). He's a physically gifted passer with a strong deep ball, earning Big Ten honors in his freshman year and showing significant flashes of potential in his early college career.
Key Profile Points:

• Team: Nebraska Cornhuskers.
• Position: Quarterback.
• Class: Sophomore (2024 recruit).
• High School: Attended multiple schools, finishing at Buford High School (GA).
• Recruiting: Consensus top-10 recruit in the 2024 class, five-star prospect.
• Family: Son of former Nebraska All-American center Dominic Raiola; uncle is current OL coach.

Playing Style & Strengths:

• Arm Talent: Possesses NFL-caliber arm strength and dexterity, capable of making off-platform throws and delivering velocity to all field levels, especially deep.
• Pocket Presence: Shows good footwork and awareness, with a natural ability to handle the quick passing game.
• Deep Ball: Elite deep ball ability, ranking among the best in his class.

Areas for Development:

• Mobility: Needs to improve rushing ability and playmaking outside the pocket.
• Consistency: Can sometimes hold the ball too long or become overly conservative under pressure.

College Career Highlights (Freshman/Sophomore Seasons):

• Led Nebraska to success, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
• Posted strong completion percentages and impressive touchdown-to-interception ratios in his early seasons.

In essence, Raiola is a physically gifted quarterback with immense potential, following his family's legacy at Nebraska and quickly becoming a significant player in college football.

 

[wizenheimer]

for fuck sakes...

Dante Moore has 19 starts



that's like Bo Nix halfway thru his sophomore season:


or Fernando Mendoza last season:


or Joe Burrow as a junior:


to summarize the numbers at comparable points in their careers:

completion%: Nix 59.9%....Mendoza 68.7%....Burrow 57.8%....Moore 71.8%
TD%: Nix 3.4%....Mendoza 4.1%....Burrow 4.2%....Moore 7.3%
interception%: Nix 2.0%....Mendoza1.6%....Burrow 1.3%....Moore 2.4%
TD rate/Int rate: Nix 1.7....Mendoza 2.6....Burrow 3.2....Moore 3.0
yards/attempt: Nix 6.8....Mendoza 144.6....Burrow 7.6....Moore 8.7
QB Rating: Nix 123.9....Mendoza 68.7%....Burrow 133.2...Moore 163.7

obviously no guarantee he'll make a major improvement next season, if he does come back. But with only 19 starts, and in reality only one season as the starting QB, there are lots of solid reasons to expect him to be much better next season....and he was pretty damn good this season. He's being judged too harshly, by many, against QB's with a lot more experience

 

[twobullz]

Raiola broke his leg this fall. Wonder if he redshirts next year so he is 100 and ready to go

 

[wizenheimer]

Raiola broke his leg this fall. Wonder if he redshirts next year so he is 100 and ready to go

he wouldn't be ready for spring ball but the prognosis was he'd be fully recovered by training camp. Decent chance the plan is for Moore to return and Raiola to be the understudy next season. But apparently, it's still not known if Moore is coming back. Probably and he certainly needs to. But guaranteed NFL money is substantial bait in the water

also....reporting is that Raiola's family really wanted him at Oregon. The Nix-->Gabriel-->Moore development track is really attractive

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I think Leavitt would have been a better option.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I think Leavitt would have been a better option.

Mestemaker too.

Makes me think Moore is returning since it seems Raiola is open to sitting one year.

 

[kjironman1]

Mestemaker too.

Makes me think Moore is returning since it seems Raiola is open to sitting one year.

If he returns he better start moving with the ball better. And he also better quit telegraphing his passes. Some of that falls on the OC. Every game they have played the first pass has been to the flank. Indiana didn't even have to scout that.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

If he returns he better start moving with the ball better. And he also better quit telegraphing his passes. Some of that falls on the OC. Every game they have played the first pass has been to the flank. Indiana didn't even have to scout that.

I mean, I think a returning Moore would move the ball better than a first year Raiola.

 

[wizenheimer]

 

[Hoopguru]

 

[Hoopguru]

From Seattle area....

 

[kjironman1]

I mean, I think a returning Moore would move the ball better than a first year Raiola.

Let’s hope so. I just wasn’t sold on the guy after a couple games this season and I’m still not.