Oregon is making a real push to get ahead in the race for four-star quarterback Josiah Boyd, and the Ducks appear to be closing ground on Ohio State.
Boyd, a Moreno Valley, California product from Vista del Lago High, is already drawing major attention as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2028 class. Rivals has him ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in California, while 247Sports slots him at No. 7 in the state. Rivals also lists him as the nation’s second-ranked passer in his class.
Ohio State is still viewed as the favorite, with On3/Rivals giving the Buckeyes a 51 percent chance to land him. But Rivals national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney said Oregon is firmly in the mix and may even be sitting in the best position.
"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 for Oregon, which is trying to build on its quarterback buzz after Dante Moore and with five-star 2027 quarterback Will Mencl already part of the conversation. The Ducks are also hoping to make a major move in July, before Boyd begins his junior season in California’s Inland Empire.
Boyd’s profile matches the attention. At 6-4 and still growing, he already looks the part.
He throws with touch and plenty of arc, dropping the ball into his receivers’ hands, but he can also drive it deep without needing to sell the throw with a pump fake. For a quarterback his age, that kind of arm talent stands out.
He also handles pressure well. When rushers close in, Boyd stays composed, avoids panic throws and finds ways to punish defenses for coming after him. He can also escape trouble and extend plays, often forcing extra defenders to finish the job while still getting the ball downfield.
That improvisational ability gives him a style that can create chaos for defenses, much like Moore, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Kansas City Chiefs three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes. His running ability adds another layer, one that could give Dan Lanning and offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer a future RPO wrinkle if Boyd ends up in Eugene.
Oregon is not alone in the chase. USC is heavily involved, especially with the Trojans looking ahead to a future in which Jayden Maiava is likely in the same NFL Draft class as Moore. Arizona State is also in the mix as a West Coast contender.
The competition stretches beyond the region, too. Alabama and Kentucky are both pursuing Boyd, with Kentucky now led by former Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein.
It’s already a crowded recruiting battle for one of the class of 2028’s biggest names. Oregon clearly wants to make sure it doesn’t drag on much longer.
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