The quarterback search for Oregon in the 2028 class took another turn on Saturday, and this one went UCLA’s way.
Four-star passer Josiah Boyd announced his commitment to the Bruins, picking UCLA over Kentucky and Oregon. Boyd had taken visits to all three schools, including a Friday night stop in Eugene to watch the Ducks face Portland State, but his more recent trips to Westwood ultimately kept the California quarterback closer to home.
Boyd arrives as one of the class’ premier talents. Rivals has him ranked as the No. 2 quarterback and the No. 31 overall recruit in the 2028 cycle, and he brings a dual-threat skill set to the position.
For Oregon, Boyd had long been one of the names worth watching. The Ducks were believed to be the front-runner over the summer, while Kentucky remained in the mix because of Boyd’s relationship with former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein.
But UCLA kept making up ground, especially with Boyd spending plenty of time on campus lately. That included this past weekend, when he was in attendance for the Bruins’ game against Wisconsin.
With UCLA continuing its rise and Bob Chesney’s program gaining traction, the Bruins became the team to beat. Boyd had originally planned to announce on Nov. 23, but after that successful UCLA visit, the decision date was moved up to Saturday.
This fall at Vista del Lago High School, Boyd has completed 65.4% of his passes for 19 touchdowns and three interceptions in eight games. He has also rushed for eight touchdowns.
Oregon still does not have a commitment in the 2028 class, and the attention now shifts to another four-star quarterback, Tristin Gaines, as the Ducks continue to build that group. They also have work to do keeping the rest of their 2027 class intact, including linebacker Toa Satele, as UCLA’s surge has started to draw the attention of other recruits before signing day.
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The debate that will linger comes from the late fourth quarter, when Illinois receiver Collin Dixons game-sealing touchdown was reviewed and upheld despite contact from Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. Oregon will point to that sequence, but the broader issue was its own inability to cash in when the game was there to be taken. The Ducks had chances to change the shape of the afternoon and instead watched Illinois turn a tight finish into a result they could not undo. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Just Took A Painful QB Recruiting Hit
Oregon took a significant recruiting swing to the jaw when Josiah Boyd, one of the top quarterbacks in the 2028 class, chose UCLA over the Ducks and Kentucky. Boyd, ranked 31st nationally and second at his position, had long looked like a major target for Oregon, which was seen as a frontrunner for much of the process before the Bruins surged late.
The miss stings because quarterback recruiting is always about more than one player, and Oregon had clearly invested time and momentum in Boyds chase. The Ducks are still active with other 2028 quarterback options, and they already have a highly regarded quarterback committed in the 2027 class, but landing a player of Boyds caliber would have been a meaningful early win in the next cycle. [Read more 🡒]
Dante Moores NFL Draft Outlook Suddenly Feels Far Less Certain
ESPN analyst Jordan Reids latest top-50 look at the 2027 NFL Draft gave Oregon a strong showing, with three Ducks cracking the list. Tight end Jamari Johnson landed at No. 23, quarterback Dante Moore checked in at No. 37 and defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington followed at No. 40, a reminder of how much talent is sitting on this roster even as the season keeps moving.
For Moore, though, the draft conversation has gotten more complicated. He has been sidelined by a concussion, has already missed multiple games and is out for the upcoming matchup against Illinois, with coach Dan Lanning offering no timetable for a return. For a quarterback whose stock depends so heavily on reps, health and game tape, the combination of limited playing time and an uncertain comeback has made his outlook feel far less settled than it did a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]