Oregon Signing Class Review: Quarterback

The most important position on the field and in the game of football is one Dan Lanning does not overlook.

This was an interesting cycle for the Ducks at quarterback. Of course they had Bo Nix this season knowing it was his last hoorah in college. So Oregon needed a plan in place for 2024. And I’m certain this season was the chance for Ty Thompson to prove he was ready for that job. Unfortunately Oregon wasn’t certain that wasn’t the case and pursued options in the transfer portal. Leading to Ty’s departure from Oregon.

Although Oregon signed Austin Novosad late in the 2023 class, another year of ‘seasoning’ looks to be the case for the former four-star.

Additionally the Ducks had two prep quarterbacks committed in this class at one time. Something that very few schools are able to pull off. I don’t think it’s any slight to Luke Moga or Michael Van Buren (while committed) for Oregon to dip into the transfer portal. To compete at the highest level you need that experienced, confident quarterback leading your team.

I recognize rankings are subjective for anything. But I have a hard time finding a better fit between Oregon and Dillon Gabriel so far in the transfer portal. He’s a great fit for the offense, has loads of experience and seemingly is a natural leader. He should be a fairly instant plug and play for Oregon next season.

But the fact Oregon was able to secure a very solid potential backup plan and eventual starter is really something you will rarely see in today’s college football. It’s clear Dan Lanning has a plan A, plan B and plan C in recruiting. It’s not often, if ever, you see Oregon get caught flat-footed.

Just looking at the timeline, Oregon wasn’t certain in the Spring they would hit the transfer portal. Regardless of how many game snaps Ty Thompson took, they had plenty of time to evaluate him in practices all year. So the Ducks were smart and locked up two prep quarterbacks early in Moga and MVB.

But then it was clear the Ducks were going to hit the portal. The addition of Dillon Gabriel was massive for the Ducks. However the ability to pivot from signing two prep quarterbacks to two transfer quarterbacks was a work of art.

Should anything happen to Gabriel, Oregon is in a much better place with Dante Moore filling in than either of the prep signees or Novosad. Moore can come in and still win a game for Oregon. All while learning from Gabriel for the year and preparing to be the guy in two years.

There is no other grade to give here but an A+. It was an absolute master class in roster management by Oregon. Not every position group needs to add transfers, but this one did.

Oregon gets an A+ for this position group from me.

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