CHICAGO - Big Ten Football Media Days are underway, and Oregon is set to step into the spotlight Wednesday at the Hilton Chicago as the conference’s unofficial kickoff to the 2026 season rolls on.
The three-day event brings together the head coaches and three players from each of the Big Ten’s 18 programs, with DuckTerritory.com on site to track the latest news, interviews and analysis as the league opens another year. The Big Ten comes into 2026 having produced the last three College Football Playoff national champions, and this year’s gathering also includes three coaches who took their teams to the playoff last season, plus four coaches beginning their first seasons at new schools.
Oregon’s turn comes Wednesday, when head coach Dan Lanning will be joined by quarterback Dante Moore, tight end Jamari Johnson and outside linebacker Teitum Tuioti. Lanning is scheduled to speak in the main media room at 10:45 a.m.
PT. The Ducks’ three players will hit their individual podium sessions from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m.
PT, followed by Lanning’s individual podium window from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. PT.
Moore arrives in Chicago as one of the Big Ten’s headline names and a key piece of Oregon’s national championship hopes. Johnson is set to be a major part of an offense entering its first season under coordinator Drew Mehringer, while Tuioti will represent a defense working through its own transition under new coordinator Chris Hampton.
TUESDAY, JULY 28
8:45 AM PT - Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti opens the event
The opening day’s conversation could touch on the College Football Playoff, conference scheduling, television partnerships, postseason formats, player availability reports and where college athletics is headed next.
Tuesday’s schools are Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC and Wisconsin.
Penn State’s first Big Ten Media Days appearance under Matt Campbell is part of the day’s lineup, along with USC coach Lincoln Riley, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano and Illinois coach Bret Bielema.
Among the players scheduled to attend Tuesday are Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava.
Oregon’s representatives
Dan Lanning, head coach
Lanning is entering his fifth season with the Ducks. Oregon has quickly become one of the Big Ten’s top programs in its first two seasons in the league and arrives in Chicago with championship expectations.
Dante Moore, quarterback
Moore returns as Oregon’s starting quarterback after helping guide the Ducks to the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. His development, leadership and control of Mehringer’s offense will be central storylines around the program.
Jamari Johnson, tight end
Johnson is in position to become one of Oregon’s featured offensive pieces after making 32 catches for 510 yards and three touchdowns last season.
Teitum Tuioti, outside linebacker
Tuioti brings an experienced edge presence and is one of the veterans expected to help lead Oregon’s defense in Hampton’s first season as coordinator.
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