Oregon’s quarterback board is getting clearer, and Donald Tabron II is right at the center of it.
The five-star prospect, per the 247Sports composite, is set to announce his recruiting decision on Aug. 15, and one week before that date he trimmed things down to a final three: LSU, Texas A&M and Oregon, according to Rivals. That keeps the Ducks in the hunt, and they’re the lone Big Ten program still standing.
Tabron had previously picked up offers from Ohio State and Michigan, but neither school made the cut. UCLA was also in the mix at one point, but the Bruins are no longer part of the picture either.
For Oregon, the appeal runs deeper than just being in the final group. Tabron has already taken two unofficial visits to Eugene, and his official offer from the Ducks came on May 7, 2025, per 247Sports. That offer arrived while Will Stein was still Oregon’s offensive coordinator, but even after Stein left for Kentucky to become head coach there, Dan Lanning and the Ducks kept the connection alive.
Tabron is one of the big names in Oregon’s Class of 2028 quarterback search, alongside four-star Josiah Boyd, the standout from Vista del Lago High in Moreno Valley, California. The Ducks are clearly not putting all their eggs in one basket, either.
Still, Texas A&M looks like the team gaining the most momentum. On3 recruiting reporter Jaxson Callaway said Tabron first became a target under Collin Klein when he was offensive coordinator, and that even with the staff changes - Holomon Wiggins now calling plays and Joey Lynch taking over as quarterbacks coach - his value to the program has not changed. Callaway also wrote there is "strong optimism" that the Aggies can get the deal done for Tabron.
On3’s prediction machine backs that up with a 92.7 percent chance of Tabron landing at Texas A&M. That means Oregon may need a fallback plan if the quarterback chooses the Aggies or LSU.
The good news for the Ducks is that they have other names on the board. Five-star Christopher Vargas, the No. 1 prospect in Massachusetts, was considered "warm" on Oregon in July per 247Sports. If Tabron goes elsewhere, Vargas could become an even bigger priority.
Oregon can also keep pushing for Graham Simpson, the younger brother of new Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty. The four-star from Westview High in Tennessee threw eight touchdown passes in the state title game and is known for making plenty of throws both on and off schedule, a style that fits the type of quarterback Oregon has had success with before.
Tabron’s final decision is still the one to watch, but the Ducks have made sure they’re in position no matter how Aug. 15 shakes out.
In Other News...
Dan Lanning Makes Oregons Stance On NCAA Rule Change Clear
The NCAAs switch to a new 5-for-5 eligibility model has changed the conversation around roster building across college football, but Oregons outlook appears relatively unchanged for now. Instead of the old redshirt setup, players now get five years of eligibility, and the familiar four-game limit for freshmen to preserve redshirt status is gone, a move that should make life easier for coaches trying to manage depth and developmental timelines.
Dan Lanning made clear the Ducks do not expect the rule to have much immediate impact on their program this season because of the specific eligibility restrictions already in place. For Oregon, the bigger picture may be about how the change streamlines planning over time, even if it does not alter the teams short-term approach as it prepares for the upcoming year. [Read more 🡒]
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The interesting part is not so much the names as the debate they naturally reopen, especially when a coach is the one doing the choosing. Lanning admitted the fourth spot was the toughest call and settled on James, which is exactly the kind of pick that gets Ducks fans arguing over legacy, production and pure memory all over again. Oregon has had enough great players to make any four-man list feel incomplete, and this one is no exception. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Offense Faces A New Test With Playoff Stakes Rising
Drew Mehringer enters his first season as Oregons offensive coordinator with a familiar assignment and a familiar mandate: keep the Ducks offense moving without asking it to become something it is not. The staff has worked to preserve continuity from the previous system, and with quarterback Dante Moore and senior center Iapani Laloulu back in the fold, there is a sense that Oregon can lean on stability as it prepares for another playoff push.
Even so, Mehringer knows the job is not just about maintaining what already works. Oregon wants cleaner decision-making, fewer turnovers and sharper execution once it reaches the red zone, and those areas tend to separate a good offense from one that can carry postseason expectations. Finding the right balance between adding complexity and making sure players can execute it will be one of the seasons quiet but important tests. [Read more 🡒]