Oregon’s push for 2028 quarterback Josiah Boyd keeps gaining traction, and the latest buzz around the recruitment points the Ducks in a strong direction.
Boyd has been on Oregon’s radar since the Ducks offered him a scholarship, and his response only added fuel to the fire: Oregon had always been a dream school. That immediately put him near the top of the staff’s priorities for the cycle, especially with quarterback standing as one of the first major pieces any program wants to lock down.
The confidence around Oregon’s chances has been building for weeks, but Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong added another layer on Wednesday by predicting Dan Lanning and his staff will land Boyd. That comes after several analysts had already projected the Ducks to come out on top in the race.
Boyd’s profile explains why the attention has been so intense. According to Rivals’ Recruiting Rankings, he is the 31st ranked player in the Country, the 2nd ranked quarterback in the class, and the 4th ranked player out of California.
The production backs it up, too. Last season, Boyd completed 172 of 278 passes for 2,620 yards and 19 touchdowns with just 3 interceptions.
He also added 462 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, giving Oregon the kind of dual-threat talent that fits what the Ducks like to do on offense. Early in his junior season, he’s already showing why he belongs among the elite prospects in the country.
“This throw from Josiah Boyd was among the best I saw last weekend from a QB prospect. Boyd showed the explosive arm talent that makes him @Rivals ’ No.
2 QB in 2028 with 4 TD passes of 44+ yards in week one. @SWiltfong_ has the latest on his recruitment: https://t.co/wGXBzohwjF pic.twitter.com/rfAQ7gfrLF”
Boyd is scheduled to visit Eugene on September 18th, after trips to LSU and USC, and that stretch could be a big one for Oregon’s chances.
The Ducks are also preparing for a future without Dante Moore after this season, but the quarterback room already has names in place. Dylan Raiola, Brock Thomas, and Akili Smith Jr. are all in the mix to compete for the job, and current commit Will Mencl would also be part of that conversation if he signs. Landing Boyd would give that pipeline even more firepower.
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Oregon Suddenly Has A New Concern With A Key Defender
Oregons preseason work brought a small but notable concern into focus when the programs social media account posted photos of EDGE/LB Nasir Wyatt practicing with a club on his right hand. The images immediately stood out because Wyatt is viewed as one of the Ducks key defensive pieces heading into the season, the kind of player Oregon wants available and sharp as it continues to sort out its defense.
Wyatt was still on the field, which is the encouraging part for Oregon, and it suggests the issue may not be serious enough to keep him out of action for long. Even so, any hand injury involving a defender whose value comes from playing with force and disruption bears watching, especially at this point in camp when the Ducks are trying to build toward the opener with as few unknowns as possible. [Read more 🡒]
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On the other side of that buildup is Evan Stewart, whose return from injury has become one of the more compelling storylines in camp. Safety Koi Perich, who has been bonding with teammates through a golf simulator in his garage, spoke highly of Stewart while noting the receiver is expected to play his first game in more than 600 days. For Oregon, that adds another layer to an opener that already feels bigger than a typical early-season matchup, even before the Ducks take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Dakorien Moore Is Forcing A Big Oregon Receiver Question
Dakorien Moore has already given Oregon a glimpse of why he arrived with so much buzz, and it has come even while he has been working through injuries. The freshman wide receiver has flashed enough in camp to keep the conversation around him moving, including a standout one-handed grab that served as a reminder of just how naturally explosive he can be.
For the Ducks, the bigger question is not whether Moore belongs in the mix, but how quickly he can push his way toward the front of a crowded receiver room. Oregon has plenty of talent at the position, yet Moores early promise suggests he could become more than just another young option if his health and development keep trending the right way. [Read more 🡒]