Flock Talk: Under Pressure?

 

 

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Why 2025 Will Be Dan Lanning’s Defining Season at Oregon

The 2025 season feels like the true inflection point for Dan Lanning’s tenure at Oregon — the year where every success or setback will be measured almost entirely against his own blueprint. This is the first roster built almost entirely from Lanning’s recruiting classes. While there are still transfers, as there are on every elite program in today’s college football, each addition fits his vision for culture, scheme, and long-term sustainability.

Even at quarterback, where Oregon has leaned heavily on veteran transfers in recent years, the dynamic is different. In 2022, Bo Nix arrived with 34 career starts already on his résumé. In 2024, Dillon Gabriel brought 49 starts of experience. This year, Dante Moore takes over with only five starts to his name — and unlike his predecessors, Moore was a high-priority Lanning target before arriving in Eugene. This is a hand-picked quarterback stepping into the role, not a plug-in veteran.

That changes the equation entirely. This season will show whether Lanning’s developmental approach — from recruiting to culture to on-field preparation — can produce a homegrown leader who elevates the team. Moore’s arm talent and mobility are obvious, but leadership is the intangible that will determine whether Oregon matches its offensive potential with consistent execution.

The supporting cast offers plenty of reasons for optimism. Da’Jaun “Dink” Riggs should see plenty of opportunities to break out, and while much of the spotlight will shine on Dakorien Moore, those inside the program quietly rave about Jeremiah McClellan’s potential. The sheer volume of young, high-upside players means Oregon could have multiple surprise stars by midseason.

Defensively, this group has the tools to be elite — perhaps a top-10 unit nationally. The schedule doesn’t feature a gauntlet of explosive offenses, so the Ducks should post strong statistical results most weeks. But one question looms: can they handle elite rushing attacks when it matters most? Last year’s Big Ten Championship win over Penn State came despite surrendering 297 rushing yards. That vulnerability could decide whether Oregon’s season ends with a playoff run toward its first national championship or another “almost.” That’s not to say I consider the season a bust without the championship, but will this team show some progress in the playoffs or will nit see another early exit?

In the regular season, 11–1 feels realistic, but much will hinge on the early matchup with Penn State. That game could set the tone for December and beyond. To reach their ceiling, the Ducks must be more disciplined against the run in big games — and marry that with the offensive explosiveness they’ve shown flashes of under Moore.

In every way, this is Dan Lanning’s team. Every practice rep, every game plan, every leadership decision will be a direct reflection of his program’s growth. By January, we’ll know if his vision can not only recruit talent but translate it into championship football.

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A Different Energy on the Recruiting Trail

The vibe around recruiting visits this year feels noticeably different from recent cycles. In the past, late-season visits often carried a sense of intrigue — the possibility of a last-minute flip lingering in the air. This year, the reality is far more settled. Strong NIL agreements, many finalized early in the process, have created a level of commitment security we haven’t seen before. For most high-end 2026 targets, the financial and relational groundwork is already too firm for another school to shake loose.

That stability has shifted the staff’s focus. While they’ll still bring in a few 2026 commits and targets this fall, the early visit plans hint at something bigger: a jump-start on the next wave. More and more, the Ducks are hosting recruits from the 2027 cycle — players who won’t sign for two more years but can begin building a connection with the program now. It’s a long-term play, fitting with Dan Lanning’s preference for building relationships early and cultivating buy-in before NIL numbers even enter the conversation.

And while “secret” visits have become a familiar subplot in the recruiting world — those quiet, under-the-radar trips that surface on message boards after the fact — don’t expect many leaks this time around. The combination of a more locked-in 2025 class and a tighter, more disciplined approach to visit publicity means much of that behind-the-scenes maneuvering will stay behind the scenes. In short, the drama might be dialed down, but the strategy is as deliberate as ever.

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Jalen Brewster

Over the past month, there’s been plenty of buzz that the 2027 prospect might reclassify to the 2026 class — a rumor that had more than a few Oregon fans daydreaming about getting him on campus a year early. But in an interview with Max Torres earlier this week, he shut the door on that possibility, making it clear that reclassifying isn’t on the table right now.

Could that change? In recruiting, almost anything can — and often does — shift quickly. Still, I don’t think this one will. In fact, staying in the 2027 class might be the better move. While graduating early can offer certain benefits, such as faster access to college-level coaching and resources, it also comes with real risks. Physical and technical development takes time and jumping ahead a year can mean facing the speed and intensity of the college game before a player’s body is fully ready. There are plenty of examples of reclassified prospects who’ve needed extra time to adjust during their first season. It’s not inherently a bad decision — but it’s a gamble, and this prospect appears to be playing the long game.

And while Oregon is in a very strong position with the Cedar Hill (TX) standout, there’s no guarantee he would have picked the Ducks had he made the move to 2026. By staying in 2027, Oregon gains valuable time to further build the relationship, strengthen his ties to the program, and create an NIL structure that fits a true 2027 prospect — rather than rushing to wedge him into this year’s budget and roster calculus. It’s a longer runway for both sides, and that might ultimately make the fit even stronger when signing day finally comes.