Oregon’s push for four-star quarterback Josiah Boyd is starting to look real, and it’s putting the Ducks in the middle of a heavyweight recruiting fight with Ohio State.
Boyd, a Moreno Valley, California, product from Vista del Lago High, has become one of the most watched passers in the 2028 class. Rivals has him as the No. 3 overall prospect in California, while 247Sports slots him at No. 7 in the state. Rivals also ranks him as the nation’s second-best passer in the class.
Ohio State currently holds the edge in the prediction game, sitting at 51 percent in On3/Rivals’ forecast. But Rivals national analyst Adam Gorney said Oregon is very much in the thick of it, and maybe even in the best spot.
"Oregon and Ohio State have the edge in Boyd's recruitment. [But] the Ducks could be sitting right at the top since he’s taken multiple visits there, [plus] position coach Koa Ka'ai has been down to see him in Moreno Valley, and the connection there is very strong," Gorney said.
That kind of momentum matters, especially with Oregon trying to stack another major quarterback win as Dan Lanning and Koa Ka'ai keep pressing forward. The Ducks appear to be making a serious July push, with Boyd still before his junior season in California’s Inland Empire.
At 6-4 and still growing, Boyd already flashes the traits that make recruiters lean in. He throws with touch and plenty of arc, dropping the ball softly into receivers’ hands. He can also drive it deep without needing a pump fake, which is a rare trait for a quarterback his age.
There’s more to his game than arm talent, too. Boyd stays composed when pressure closes in, doesn’t rush into bad throws, and makes defenses pay for coming after him. He’s also tough to bring down, often forcing extra rushers to finish the job while still getting the ball downfield.
And then there’s the improvisation. Boyd can create when plays break down, a trait that draws comparisons in the source to Moore, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Kansas City Chiefs three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes. He can hurt defenses with his legs as well, which would give Oregon and offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer a future RPO dimension if he lands in Eugene.
Oregon isn’t alone in the chase. USC is heavily involved, especially with the Trojans’ own passer Jayden Maiava likely headed into the same NFL Draft class as Moore soon. Arizona State is also in the mix as a West regional contender.
The competition stretches beyond the region, too. Alabama and Kentucky are pursuing Boyd, with Kentucky now led by former Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein.
It’s already turned into a busy recruiting battle for one of the class of 2028’s biggest quarterback names, and Oregon seems intent on trying to close it before it drags on much longer.
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