Commit Impact: Bryson Beaver Gives Oregon a Big-Time Arm for the Future

 

Three-star QB adds firepower, development runway to Ducks' 2026 class

Oregon’s 2026 quarterback recruiting saga has taken some dramatic twists — but ultimately, it may have landed in the ideal place.

After early momentum with Elite 11 Finalist Jonas Williams and heavy pursuits of five-star passers Jared Curtis and Ryder Lyons, the Ducks came up short on their initial top targets. Curtis, after briefly naming Oregon his leader, re-committed to Georgia. Lyons, long considered Oregon’s to lose, ultimately chose BYU. With each miss, the pressure increased. Oregon hadn’t yet found its future QB.

 

Enter Bryson Beaver, a rising star from Vista Murrieta (Calif.) whose stock soared this spring and exploded at the Elite 11 Finals. Oregon extended an offer earlier this month during spring evaluations, prompting an immediate decommitment from Boise State. Even with SEC programs like LSU and Ole Miss circling, Beaver stayed focused — and now he’s Oregon’s 10th pledge in the 2026 cycle.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Beaver is currently rated a three-star by Rivals, though that ranking is expected to climb significantly after his Elite 11 breakout. His junior film and verified production already rival many higher-ranked peers. He completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,214 yards, 33 touchdowns and just six interceptions last fall, adding another 411 yards and six scores on the ground — all while earning All-CIF honors.

From a traits standpoint, Beaver checks nearly every box:

Velocity with touch to all three levels

Smooth mechanics on sprint-outs and rollouts

Pocket creativity and a natural feel for extending plays

Poised leader with a 3.8 GPA and coachable mentality

Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein led the charge here, recognizing Beaver’s tools and upside as a perfect fit in Oregon’s scheme. Beaver spent the weekend on campus, solidifying his decision, and becomes the quarterback of record in a class still early in development. More importantly, his timeline aligns well with Oregon’s roster construction.

With Dante Moore likely entrenched as the starter through 2025 and potentially into 2026, Beaver enters a stable room that also includes Austin Novosad, Luke Moga, and Akili Smith Jr. He won’t be asked to contribute immediately — a developmental runway that suits his profile perfectly.

While still refining his deep-ball consistency and decision-making under pressure, Beaver is a late-bloomer who’s making the leap at the perfect time. At the Elite 11 Finals, he looked like one of the strongest arms on the field, capping the event with a 7-on-7 session where he went 19-of-26 for five touchdowns — a performance that left multiple observers pegging him as the week’s breakout performer.

In many ways, Oregon’s outcome here may prove to be better than its original plan. Beaver is talented, motivated, and unshaken by flashier offers. He chose Oregon because of belief — both his in them, and theirs in him. Now, the Ducks get to mold a raw, gifted passer into their future.