This season was supposed to be Oregon’s moment to reset and reload. With a Big Ten title already in the bag, Dan Lanning was riding high. And the Ducks are set to soar even higher with a new quarterback at the helm. But with spring ball in the books and the QB room heating up, something doesn’t feel right. The air in Autzen Stadium has shifted. A growing murmur surrounding the starting quarterback, Dante Moore, is looming.

Oregon brought in Moore to be the rightful successor to Dillon Gabriel. A five-star talent, twice-recruited by the Ducks, and backed with over $340,000 in NIL investment. Oregon made a statement in pursuing the young QB after his freshman year at UCLA, where he racked up 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Not elite numbers. However, HC Lanning is convinced that he can mold the young quarterback, given his tools. However, Moore may have the talent, but he lacks experience.

That is where the prime concern lies for Dan Lanning. Analyst Spencer McLaughlin laid it out clearly on the Locked On Ducks Podcast: “Dante Moore or Austin Novosad starting is a legitimate challenge and point of evaluation. For Dan Lanning and Will Stein, because this is a completely new situation for them at the most important position on the field. The last two guys to start for Oregon have been Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel, who during their time with the Ducks individually set their own record for the most games played at quarterback in the history of college football. It might even have been regardless of position. They were the most experienced players in the history of that spot.”

For the past two seasons, Oregon has relied on Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel. Two battle-tested veterans who set records for most games played at quarterback in college football history. However, Dante Moore didn’t start any games in 2024. Even at UCLA, he was the starting QB in only 5 games out of 9 he featured in. That’s a considerable drop from Dillon Gabriel who had started 49 games before he appeared for the Ducks. Similarly, Bo Nix had also started 47 games before Dan Lanning gave him the QB1 spot at Oregon.

“This is the first time where Dan Lanning and Will Stein have a young, somewhat unproven but incredibly talented quarterback, and now they’ve got to develop him into a star or at least something that resembles a star to get Oregon to where they want to be in the next couple of years.” That seems like a lot of work, more of a high-stakes gamble. Especially when the Ducks are eyeing a College Football Playoff return.

Hold on, Ducks fans. It’s not all dark in here. Moore has impressed in the spring game, throwing for 140 yards on 12-of-20 passing. Oregon has invested heavily in Dante Moore, but the quarterback situation is far from settled. If Moore doesn’t rise fast, the Ducks’ lofty ambitions could crash before take-off.

Ducks’ tight-end room hinges on Kenyon Sadiq’s breakout potential.

With Terrance Ferguson off to the NFL, drafted 46th overall by the Los Angeles Rams. The Oregon Ducks’ tight end room enters 2025 with both opportunity and uncertainty. Ferguson leaves behind a legacy of consistency, contributing 1,207 yards and 12 touchdowns across his Oregon career, but his departure opens the door for Kenyon Sadiq to become the future weapon in the Ducks’ offense.

Sadiq, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior, might just be the most athletic tight end Oregon has ever had. After two seasons playing behind Ferguson, 2025 is his time to shine and turn heads. In the Big Ten Championship Game last season, Sadiq exploded with two touchdowns in the first quarter, including a highlight-reel hurdle over a defender en route to the end zone. He followed that with 7 catches for 102 yards and another acrobatic hurdle.

Dante Moore also echoed the enthusiasm for Sadiq. “Just give 18 the ball,” Moore said. “I mean, that’s what I tell Coach (Drew) Mehringer every day when I see him. I mean, give him the ball. He just makes plays, man. I mean, every opportunity in this offense, you got to find the best player. Of course, you have multiple of them, but I just got to give 18 the ball. He’s gonna make a play.”

HC Lanning has seen the rise coming for a while. “I have seen it every day that he’s been here. He’s a guy that has constantly improved, worked really hard, and embraced whatever role he’s wearing for the team,” Lanning added further. “He has been able to help us since the day he got here. I think you saw some of Kenyon that we get to see every day in practice.”

With Ferguson gone and depth behind Sadiq still unproven, Oregon’s TE1 is poised to be a breakout star. Draftniks believe that Sadiq might even be a future first-round pick.