Can We Chat About the QB Position at Oregon?

[Signoramous]

Here are some thoughts I'm pondering about the Ducks returning QB’s. I think they are the same questions we are all asking ourselves.

 

It seems that Dante Moore is going to Fall camp as the favorite to win the starting role. He’s obviously super-talented, is the most experienced, and he looked poised in very limited action last season. I wish him well. On the other hand, if Austin Novosad outplays him to win the job I'd be no less happy.

 

Is Novosad really in contention? Do you think he has a chance to win the starting job? What about Luke Moga? He impressed in his sneak peek last spring. Do any of you view Moga as even a dark horse to start as a red-shirt Freshman?

 

I am also pondering whether the Ducks will want to, or be able to, keep at least one of these QB’s from hitting the transfer portal once Spring practice ends. If Moore is named, do you think Novosad will leave after Spring practice? Would he still have a chance to find a good team that will look at him as a starter transferring that late? And, what if Novosad is named QB1 - will Dante Moore transfer? If both Moore and Novosad stay, do you think Moga will transfer? He will probably be fighting just to be the #3 man this year and again next season, given the kind of quality lined up behind.

 

Finally, what if no one is named the starter at the end of Spring practice?  I think this is what we are most likely to see. Do you think all three quarterbacks will stay? Will all three quarterbacks be Ducks next season?

 

[Charles Fischer]

I have no idea, and I've decided that it is part of the entertainment.  I am quite surprised that nobody has transferred out thus far, as all have shown they can play with spurts of action in the Spring Game last year.

 

Add to these complications of QBs brought in for 2025, and the prospect of receiving an experienced transfer QB every year....I have no idea how the coaches manage it.

 

 

[Jon Joseph]

 

Thanks, Sig. QB is a good topic to ponder; the most important position in team sport.

 

The Spring transfer portal opens on April 16th and closes on the 25th, one day before the Ducks Spring Game. 

 

QB Room - Moore, Novostad, Moga, Smith. Novo is being paid, enough to hang in with the Ducks? I'm certain he is being scouted by other teams but to date, he is a Duck. Perhaps he believes he can beat out Moore and/or no other program has topped what he is earning at Oregon. 

 

Someone is advising him to stay in Eugene until Spring practice to see where he stands. Perhaps his family is financially well off and more money is not that big of a deal. Also, if Dante is as good as predicted by Tez and others, he could be off to the NFL in the 2026 Draft, with Novo likely in the lead to be the starter in 2026-27. As best as I can tell, Novo will be a RS Sophomore in 2025-26, with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

 

I was surprised not to see Moga's name on the T+F roster? Did I space it? I thought he was going to run track. 

 

Akili Smith Jr. comes in as a 4* recruit which means the jury is out until he participates at the college level. 

 

I am happy that we will likely see all four QBs play ball on 4/26.

[Drake]

Dante appears to be an NFL style drop back QB. He has apparently been impressive in practice, but needs to regain his confidence as “the guy” in an actual game. 
 

I think our QB’s can all be productive, but everyone will find out who will shine after 4 or 5 games. 
 

They all need experience, and while practice is important, nothing replaces the pressure of a tightly contested game. 

[David Marsh]

My understanding is that Moore is ahead in the starter race as it sounds like he could have stepped in for Gabriel last year at any time and run the offense. 

 

I think Novosad isn't that far behind and will certainly push Moore. And will likely be the backup quarterback. The reality is that we need a solid backup QB. 

 

As for Moga I have heard from a few insiders over the past few months that he is still a rawer talent. He had some flashes last spring but spring games tend to show off the improvisational skills in a way that a real game doesn't. Moga can certainly use his athletisim to improvise but can he run the offense smoothly and proficiently and consistently take what is given to him? 

 

Not sure he is there yet. 

 

I think it's great that the confidence in this room is so high that the coaches opted to not bring in a transfer this year. 

 

Players sticking around is also a massive benefit and shows how good Lanning is at maintaining and recruiting his own roster. 

[30Duck]

On 3/9/2025 at 10:53 AM, Jon Joseph said:

QB is a good topic to ponder; the most important position in team sport.

 

An argument can be made, here it is, that the most important position is left tackle, occasionally, RT. We saw what happened to the best OB in the NFL, when Mahomes was a tackling dummy in the two Super Bowls KC lost. 

[Signoramous]

On 3/9/2025 at 5:44 PM, David Marsh said:

Moga can certainly use his athletisim to improvise but can he run the offense smoothly and proficiently and consistently take what is given to him? 

 

I'd love to see them design a few Luke Moga plays and use him in special situations this year to capitalize on that athleticism. 

[The Grateful Duck]

On 3/9/2025 at 2:44 PM, David Marsh said:

think it's great that the confidence in this room is so high that the coaches opted to not bring in a transfer this year. 

I agree with this statement. The coaches obviously feel confident that they have the QB they need/want in house. And I trust this coaching staff, re: assessment and willingness to provide competition as necessary for every group on the team.

[The Grateful Duck]

Generally, whoever wins the QB competition will have the skill set to maintain the present trajectory for this team. And that the 2 older players have the upper hand, imo.

 

Whether the loser of that competition leaves the program sooner/later or not at all is a part of the coaching staff's assessment of the present QB room. Remember, they aren't just stacking talent for now but also for future contingency. Not all the room is going to leave when a starter is named, right?