Honestly, nobody expected today to be this loud in Eugene. Most of us were still nursing that hangover from the 56-22 thumping Indiana handed the Ducks in the Peach Bowl last Friday. It was ugly. Three first-half turnovers by Dante Moore basically handed the Hoosiers a ticket to the title game on a silver platter. You'd think a guy projected as a top-five NFL pick would want to put that nightmare behind him and head straight for the league.
But then came the announcement.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026—the absolute final deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft—Dante Moore went on SportsCenter and dropped a bombshell. He’s coming back. He’s not going to the New York Jets or the Raiders. He is staying at Oregon for his redshirt-junior year. This is the biggest oregon football news today because it completely flips the script on how Dan Lanning is building this roster for 2026.
The Quarterback Room Just Got Crowded (In a Good Way)
Wait, didn't we just land Dylan Raiola? Yeah, we did. Just a few days ago, the former Nebraska starter committed to Oregon through the portal. Usually, when a big-name transfer QB comes in, the incumbent starter packs his bags for the NFL. Not this time. Moore specifically mentioned Raiola today, calling him a "great dude" and saying he’s excited for the competition.
It’s a wild situation. You’ve got Moore, who threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last year, and Raiola, a former five-star recruit with a cannon for an arm.
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The plan seems to be a "succession" model. Moore starts in 2026 to chase that elusive National Championship and fix his draft stock after the Indiana debacle. Raiola likely takes a redshirt year or rotates in, soaking up the system before taking the keys in 2027. It's an embarrassment of riches. Most programs would kill for one of these guys; Lanning has both.
Beyond the QB: Who Else Is Staying and Who Is Gone?
While Moore’s decision is the headline, the oregon football news today includes a massive "stay or go" list that finalized this afternoon. Dan Lanning has been working the phones like a madman. The defensive line, which was a bright spot for most of the 13-2 season, is remarkably staying intact.
- Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington are both coming back to anchor the middle.
- Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti are returning to scream off the edges.
- Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu, the Remington Trophy finalist, is staying to lead the O-line.
It’s not all sunshine, though. We lost some serious firepower. Kenyon Sadiq, who was basically a cheat code at tight end with 560 yards and 8 scores, officially declared for the NFL. He’s likely a first-round talent. Safety Dillon Thieneman is also gone to the pros after a 96-tackle season.
Then there’s the portal movement. Jay Harris, the "unlikely hero" who had to carry the load at running back in the Peach Bowl because everyone else was hurt, committed to Kansas State today. It makes sense—with Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. coming back as sophomores, the backfield was getting too tight for Harris to get consistent carries.
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The Coaching Carousel Spin
We also have to talk about the headsets. Tosh Lupoi is out—he’s heading home to be the head coach at Cal. Will Stein is gone too, taking the top job at Kentucky.
Lanning didn't panic. He’s promoting from within. Chris Hampton is moving up to the solo Defensive Coordinator spot, and Drew Mehringer is taking over the offense. Keeping it in-house is a gamble, but it’s the reason guys like Dante Moore feel comfortable staying. They aren't learning a brand-new language; they're just getting a new dialect.
Why This Matters for the 2026 Season
If you look at the oregon football news today, the common thread is "unfinished business." Moore sounded genuinely hurt during his interview when talking about that Indiana loss. He mentioned he’s been dreaming of the NFL since he was four, but he doesn't want his college legacy to be three interceptions in a playoff semifinal.
The Ducks are currently sitting with the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation. We’re talking about dudes like five-star tackle Immanuel Iheanacho and tight end Kendre Harrison. When you mix that level of freshman talent with a returning veteran QB and a mean defensive line, Oregon isn't just a Big Ten contender. They’re the favorite.
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What you should do next as a fan:
- Watch the O-Line depth: Keep an eye on the portal for interior linemen. Even with Poncho back, the Ducks lost some depth to the portal this week.
- Spring Game Hype: Get your tickets early for the spring game. The Moore vs. Raiola "competition" (even if it's friendly) is going to be the most watched practice in Eugene history.
- Check the Secondary: With Thieneman gone, look for Minnesota transfer Koi Perich to take a massive leap in his role during winter conditioning.
The 2025 season ended in a blowout, but the moves made in the last 24 hours suggest that 2026 might finally be the year the trophy comes to Eugene. Lanning isn't just rebuilding; he's reloading with a vengeance.
Practical Takeaway: Follow the scholarship count. Oregon is hovering right at that 105-man limit. Expect a few more depth-chart players to hit the portal in the coming days as the staff makes room for the incoming five-stars. This roster is becoming elite, but it’s also becoming very crowded.