Honestly, it feels like Dan Lanning is playing a different game than everyone else right now. While most coaches are frantically trying to patch holes in their roster after a tough postseason loss, the Ducks just keep stacking wins in the one area that ensures they’ll be back: the recruiting trail. We just saw Oregon fall short in a brutal Peach Bowl semifinal against Indiana, but if you think the momentum is slowing down in Eugene, you haven't been paying attention to the ducks football recruiting news lately.
This week alone has been a absolute rollercoaster for fans.
The biggest bombshell dropped just hours ago on ESPN’s SportsCenter. Dante Moore is coming back. Yeah, you heard that right. Despite being a projected top-five NFL draft pick and Mel Kiper’s No. 2 overall player for the 2026 class, Moore told the world he has "unfinished business" in Eugene.
The Quarterback Room is Officially Loaded
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Moore threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns this past season. He lead the Ducks to a 12-2 record. Most guys with those stats are packing their bags for the league. Instead, he’s staying put. But here’s where it gets really interesting: Oregon didn't just stand pat. They went out and landed Dylan Raiola from the transfer portal.
Raiola, the former five-star who spent the last couple of years at Nebraska, committed to the Ducks just two days ago. It’s the kind of move that makes you do a double-take. You’ve got Moore, the established starter and Heisman contender, and Raiola, a massive talent looking for a fresh start after a broken fibula cut his 2025 season short.
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How does Lanning manage that room? Honestly, it’s a "good" problem to have, but it’s definitely going to be the talk of spring ball. Some fans were actually hoping for Sam Leavitt from Arizona State, but he ended up at LSU after the Raiola news broke.
Why the 2026 Class is Different
We often hear about "top classes," but the group Oregon just signed for the 2026 cycle is statistically ridiculous. It’s their third straight consensus top-five class.
Lanning managed to pull in 21 signees during the early window. We aren't just talking about volume; we're talking about pure, unadulterated talent. They landed five consensus five-star recruits, which is more than any other program in the country this year.
The Names You Need to Know in Ducks Football Recruiting News
If you want to know why the future looks so bright, you have to look at the trenches. Lanning is obsessed with the "big humans," as he likes to call them.
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- Immanuel Iheanacho: A 6-foot-6, 345-pound offensive tackle who basically looks like a created character in a video game. He’s the No. 1 interior lineman in the country and chose Oregon on The Pat McAfee Show.
- Anthony "Tank" Jones: The top recruit out of Alabama. Imagine being an SEC school and losing the best edge rusher in your backyard to a school in the Pacific Northwest. That’s the Lanning effect.
- Jett Washington: At 6-5, he’s a massive safety from Bishop Gorman. He’s the top-ranked player at his position and should immediately help a secondary that just lost some key pieces.
Then you've got Gatlin Bair finally joining the squad after his two-year mission. Bair is a freak of nature who once clocked a 10.15-second 100-meter dash. Adding that kind of speed to a room that already has Jalen Lott and Messiah Hampton? It's just unfair.
Portal Madness and Coaching Shifts
It hasn't all been sunshine and roses, though. The transfer portal is a two-way street. We saw running back Jay Harris—the guy who stayed to play in the Peach Bowl despite being in the portal—officially sign with Kansas State. We've also seen departures like quarterback Luke Moga, tight end Vander Ploog, and several others looking for more playing time elsewhere.
And let’s not forget the coaching staff. Oregon is currently navigating a bit of a brain drain. Offensive coordinator Will Stein is the new head man at Kentucky, and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi headed south to take the Cal job.
Lanning’s response? A simple tweet of a duck. Basically telling the world "we're fine."
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The ability to keep this recruiting class together despite losing both coordinators is a testament to the culture. Most programs would see a wave of decommitments. Oregon? They just keep adding. They even picked up Penn State transfer tight end Andrew Olesh and a new punter, Bailey Ettridge, from Nevada to replace the outgoing Australian duo of James Ferguson-Reynolds and Ross James.
What it Means for the National Title Hunt
Most people get it wrong when they look at recruiting rankings. They think it’s just about winning a trophy in February. But for Oregon, this is about depth. In that Peach Bowl loss to Indiana, the Ducks were decimated at running back. Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. were out. Jayden Limar had already left.
By signing guys like Tradarian Ball (the No. 4 RB in the nation) and keeping the core of the roster intact, Lanning is building a team that can survive the gauntlet of a 12-team playoff.
The fact that Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu and Bear Alexander are also coming back for 2026 is massive. It means the core of the line of scrimmage remains veteran, while the five-star freshmen like Iheanacho can be brought along slowly—or thrown into the fire if they're ready. As Lanning says, "If you're good enough, you're old enough."
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve on ducks football recruiting news, here is what you should be watching over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the Coordinator Search: The biggest threat to the 2026 roster isn't the portal; it's the new hires. Watch who Lanning brings in to replace Stein and Lupoi. If he lands another pair of high-level recruiters, the Ducks will stay at the top.
- Spring Game Storylines: Mark your calendar for the spring game. The Moore vs. Raiola dynamic is going to be the most watched QB battle in the country.
- The 2027 Foundation: Keep an eye on five-star QB Ryder Lyons. He’s the big target for the 2027 class, and his interest in Oregon remains high despite the crowded QB room.
- Final Portal Window: The portal closes officially on January 16. Expect a few more depth pieces—likely on the defensive line or at cornerback—to be added as Lanning looks to put the finishing touches on the roster.
Oregon is no longer the "cool" school with the fancy uniforms. They are a talent-stacking machine that is consistently out-recruiting the traditional powers of the Big Ten and SEC. The 2026 season is already shaping up to be the most anticipated in program history.