Oregon’s pursuit of elite 2028 quarterback Josiah Boyd got a little cleaner over the weekend, and Lincoln Riley is a big reason why.
Riley made his first quarterback offer of the cycle, and the choice turned heads: Texas native Trey Wright. That matters because USC had also been a school to watch for Boyd, who had previously spoken about wanting an offer from the Trojans. If Riley and USC end up going with Wright, that would appear to strengthen Oregon’s hand in the Boyd race.
Rivals is already projecting USC to win out for Wright, and Boyd’s profile makes him the kind of quarterback every top program wants to lock down early. According to Rivals’ Recruiting Rankings, he’s the 31st-ranked player in the country, the No. 2 quarterback in the class, and the No. 4 player in California.
For Oregon, the timing is important. Dan Lanning and his staff have already put together an impressive 2027 class, but the Ducks are still looking for their first commitment in the 2028 cycle. That’s not unusual this early in the process, especially with quarterbacks often setting the tone for an entire class.
Right now, Rivals has Oregon as the early favorite for Boyd, with insiders Brandon Huffman and Greg Biggins both predicting the Ducks will land his commitment. The race is still open, and the staff will keep working other quarterback options to give themselves flexibility if the board shifts. But after Riley’s latest move, Oregon’s position with Boyd looks even better than it did before.
In Other News...
Oregon May Need An Early Backfield Shakeup Over Jordon Davison
Jordon Davisons status has become one of the more important storylines out of Oregons second week of fall camp, because the Ducks may already be looking at how to sort out their backfield if he is slowed for any length of time. Running back depth is always a camp talking point, but it carries a little more weight when a player expected to be part of the rotation is dealing with an apparent injury and the staff has to keep the rest of the room ready to absorb extra reps.
The uncertainty is what makes this one worth watching. One report initially suggested Davison could be out for 6 to 8 weeks, while another said he practiced on Wednesday, which would point to a shorter absence than first feared. If he is limited, Oregon would need more from players like Dierre Hill Jr. and DaJuan Riggs as the Ducks continue shaping the early-season pecking order. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons O-Line Battle May Depend On Two Freshmen Sooner Than Expected
The Ducks offensive line picture is still taking shape, and Alique Terry is weighing a mix of veterans and young talent as Oregon tries to settle on its best five up front. Among the players drawing attention are true freshmen Immanuel Iheanacho and Tommy Tofi, two big-bodied additions whose physical gifts and work habits have kept them in the conversation as the staff sorts through a group with plenty of ability but not much proven experience.
Iheanacho and Tofi are part of the reason this battle has more intrigue than usual, because their readiness could influence how quickly Oregon feels comfortable in the trenches. Terrys comments suggest the staff is looking closely at who can handle the demands of the job right now, not just who looks the part, and that leaves the Ducks in a familiar spot for a program trying to protect talent while figuring out which line combinations can actually hold up. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Just Reached A Preseason Level Fans Have Rarely Seen
Oregons preseason profile has climbed to a place Ducks fans have rarely seen, with the program landing at No. 2 in the 2026 Preseason FWAA-NFF Super 16 Rankings and matching that spot in the US LBM Coaches Poll. It is the highest Oregon has ever appeared in that Super 16 setup, and it lines up with the broader buzz around a roster built on a strong batch of returning veterans and a team now being treated like a real national title threat.
Dante Moore is part of the reason the ceiling feels so high, with the quarterback already drawing attention as one of the early Heisman Trophy favorites. Oregon is also expected to sit inside the top 5 when the Associated Press preseason poll comes out, another reminder that the Ducks are entering camp with expectations far beyond the usual preseason optimism and with the kind of national attention that only grows louder once the season gets moving. [Read more 🡒]