Josiah Boyd’s recruitment had been drifting toward a November finish, but the elite quarterback decided not to wait that long. On Saturday afternoon, the California native wrapped things up and chose UCLA over Oregon and Kentucky, ending a race that had bounced between all three programs over the summer and fall.
For Oregon, this one had been shaping up as a real win for a while. The Ducks offered Boyd over the summer, hosted him in Eugene, and at one point looked like the team to beat after he called Oregon a dream school.
But recruiting rarely stays still for long. Boyd’s trip to Lexington for Kentucky’s wild win over LSU shifted the picture, and for a stretch it looked like the Wildcats might grab the momentum for themselves.
Instead, UCLA surged late and closed the deal under Bob Chesney. Boyd’s final public clues made the choice look even more obvious: he wore UCLA gear - an arm sleeve, wristband, and towel - during his high school game on Friday night.
The miss matters because Boyd is one of the premier names in the 2028 class. Rivals lists him as the 31st-ranked player nationally, the No. 2 quarterback in the class, and the No. 3 player in California.
There’s also a bigger reason this one lands hard for Oregon. UCLA has been piling up momentum in Chesney’s first season, helped in part by the Ducks’ loss to the Bruins. Oregon’s offense has also struggled badly without Dante Moore, and Dan Lanning has still never started a quarterback he recruited out of high school.
That said, this isn’t the kind of loss that shuts the door on the Ducks’ future at the position. Boyd still has more than a year before he signs, and Oregon already has a major piece in place with Will Mencl, one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class. Moore could also return if the concussion keeps him sidelined, and Oregon could always add a transfer, which leaves the room difficult to project right now.
The Ducks remain active on the 2028 quarterback trail, too. Tristin Gaines, Luke Rubley, Hunter Fujikawa, and others are still in the mix, and it will be worth watching whether one of them rises to the top as Oregon keeps pushing ahead.
In Other News...
Illinois Big Win Comes With One Debate Fans Wont Drop
The Ducks left Champaign with plenty to sort through after a 21-10 loss to Illinois, a game that turned on an offense that could not finish drives. Oregon kept coming away with field goals instead of touchdowns and never found enough answers to keep pace, while Illinois made the most of its chances and controlled the closing stages. For a team that expected to leave with a statement win, the frustration was as much about missed opportunities as the final score.
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 Lost A Key QB Battle With Bigger Recruiting Questions Ahead
Oregons quarterback board took a hit this week when four-star Josiah Boyd, the No. 2 quarterback in the 2028 class, announced for UCLA over the Ducks and Kentucky. Boyd had visited all three programs, and Oregon had long been viewed as a strong contender, but his choice swung late after recent trips, including a stop to see a Bruins game.
The loss leaves Oregon still working through the 2028 quarterback market while also trying to hold onto its current commitments. It is another reminder that UCLAs recruiting profile has picked up steam, and for the Ducks, the bigger concern now is whether this one decision is a one-off or the start of a tougher stretch on the trail. [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 🡒]