The Oregon Ducks already have their quarterback room mapped out for the next few years, but Dan Lanning and Drew Mehringer are still pressing ahead on the recruiting trail.
Their latest target is 2028 five-star Donald Tabron II, who has been in Oregon’s mix recently and named the Ducks among his top three schools alongside Texas A&M and LSU. On Saturday, Tabron put a date on his decision: August 15, when he’ll announce his commitment on the Rivals YouTube channel.
Tabron’s profile is as big as his recruiting buzz. The 247Sports Composite lists him as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 29 player overall in the 2028 class, and he’s the second-ranked player in Michigan while starring at Cass Technical High School in Detroit. That detail matters here, because Oregon’s current quarterback picture already includes another Detroit native in Dante Moore, the projected No. 1 pick in 2026.
The Ducks are also positioned with Dylan Raiola, the former five-star Nebraska starter, who is expected to have two years of eligibility left, and five-star Will Mencl is slated to arrive in the 2027 class. So Oregon isn’t chasing Tabron because it needs him right away. It’s chasing him because elite programs keep stacking elite talent.
There’s still a long road to go, though. A crystal ball prediction with 100% confidence has already been logged for Tabron to end up at Texas A&M, which means Oregon has work to do if it wants to pull off another surprise on the recruiting trail. The Ducks have done that before, and Tabron is now the next name to watch.
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Ohio State Fans Wont Love Who Helped Oregon Grab The Top Spot
Preseason polls are already giving the 2026 college football conversation an early jolt, and Oregon has landed right in the middle of it. On3 put Ohio State at No. 1 even without a first-place vote, but the Ducks still managed to draw some top billing of their own, a sign that the national view of Dan Lannings program remains strong even as the roster and staff continue to evolve.
Oregons case starts with the kind of continuity that poll voters tend to notice this time of year. Dante Moore is back at quarterback, the Ducks bring back key receivers and most of their defensive starters, and the foundation from last season is still intact. The wrinkle is on the sidelines, where Oregon will have new coordinators after coaching departures, leaving the Ducks with plenty of proven talent and just enough uncertainty to keep the top of the rankings interesting. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Crowded QB Room Says A Lot About This Teams Ceiling
Oregons quarterback room has become one of the more interesting pressure points on the roster, and Brock Thomas is right in the middle of it. The redshirt junior has stayed put even with returning starter Dante Moore in place and transfer Dylan Raiola now added to the mix, a sign of how much talent the Ducks are trying to keep under one roof. Thomas has flashed in limited game action and in practice, and he remains part of a group that also includes redshirt freshman Akili Smith Jr., giving Oregon more depth and more options than most programs can claim.
For Thomas, the situation also carries a longer view. He has the kind of profile that could eventually make a starting job elsewhere tempting if the path stays crowded in Eugene, but for now he is focused on helping the Ducks in whatever role they need. That kind of internal competition says plenty about Oregons ceiling, because it suggests the staff is trying to balance immediate production with future upside at the most important position on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Markus Dixon Returns To Oregon With One Big Role To Prove
Markus Dixons arrival gives Oregon another interesting piece to sort through at tight end as fall camp gets underway. The Clemson transfer brings position flexibility and a frame that the Ducks can use in a room that needed reinforcements after a starter left for the NFL Draft, which made his addition more than just a depth move on paper.
What makes Dixon worth watching is how much remains unsettled about his fit. Oregon brought him in to help the tight end group, but his exact assignment is still being determined as camp unfolds, leaving him with a clear chance to carve out something bigger than a reserve role if he can quickly show the staff where he belongs. [Read more 🡒]