Oregon’s fall camp is already giving the Ducks plenty to chew on, and the latest conversation around the program centers on four big themes: the backup quarterback race, the buzz around the defensive line, Dan Lanning’s post-scrimmage remarks, and a surprising wrinkle on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
Behind Dante Moore, the backup quarterback job is still very much up for grabs. Dylan Raiola is part of that mix, and Oregon now has a real decision to make about who it would trust if the Ducks needed another arm on the field this fall.
The defensive line is drawing a different kind of attention. Camp chatter has painted that group as a strength, but the question hanging over all of it is simple: how much of that hype is actually real? Oregon’s depth up front has become one of the most talked-about storylines on the roster, and the big issue is whether the Ducks truly have enough bodies to wear opponents down.
Lanning’s comments after Oregon’s recent scrimmage added another layer. The ball was on the ground, special teams had mistakes, and the quarterbacks were pushed to make better decisions.
Even with that uneven work, players apparently weren’t happy enough with how things went and wanted to run afterward. The takeaway from those remarks is not as straightforward as it first sounds.
The latest Biletnikoff Award Watch List also raised some eyebrows. Iverson Hooks and Jamari Johnson were included, while Jeremiah McClellan, Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart were left off. That opens the door to a bigger question about which Oregon pass catchers are most likely to emerge as the Ducks’ top threats in 2026.
All of this comes as Oregon keeps moving closer to the start of the 2026 season, with the backup QB battle, defensive line depth, scrimmage cleanup and receiver watch list all feeding into the bigger picture around the Ducks.
In Other News...
Dante Moore Is Already Hinting At Oregons Next Difference-Maker
Fall camp has already given Oregon a fresh glimpse of what Dante Moore thinks could become a major piece of the offense. The Ducks quarterback has taken notice of incoming wide receiver Jalen Lott, pointing to how quickly he has picked up the playbook and how hard he has gone to work since arriving in Eugene. For a receiver trying to earn trust in a crowded room, that kind of early attention from the quarterback matters.
Moore also has singled out Lotts speed and catching ability, and the early practice showing has only reinforced the buzz around him. Oregon expects Lott to be part of a wide receiver group that already includes returning talent, so the challenge now is turning those flashes into a role that shows up when the games count. If the camp progress carries over, the Ducks may already have another offensive threat on their hands. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Linebacker Room Is Taking Shape Around One Crucial Camp Challenge
Fall camp has started to clarify Oregons linebacker picture, and Brian Michalowski is seeing the kind of steady progress a position coach wants this time of year. Jerry Mixon has stood out for his growing leadership and the confidence hes bringing onto the field, while Devon Jacksons health has allowed him to stay consistently involved in practice. Add in the early work from the freshmen and the flexibility Nasir Wyatt brings as an edge defender, and the Ducks are getting a better sense of who can handle the demands of the room.
Michalowskis emphasis has been less about flash than about the habits that make the group function, especially communication and development driven by the players themselves. For a linebacker room that still has pieces sorting into place, that matters because the position asks for more than athleticism. Oregon wants clarity, accountability and voices on the field, and camp is giving the staff a chance to see which players are ready to help provide all three. [Read more 🡒]
Former Oregon Ducks Are Making NFL Teams Take Notice
A wave of former Oregon Ducks is making its presence felt early in the 2026 NFL preseason, giving the program another reminder of how much professional talent it continues to send into the league. Among the early standouts are rookies Noah Whittington and Malik Benson, both 2026 draft picks whose first exhibition showings offered an encouraging glimpse of what they might bring at the next level.
The buzz has not been limited to offense, either. Defenders Bryce Boettcher, Dillon Thieneman and Jabbar Muhammad have also drawn notice as they work through roster battles and try to turn strong preseason moments into spots on regular-season depth charts. For Oregon fans, it is the kind of early August progress report that can make the coming weeks worth tracking closely. [Read more 🡒]