Oregon HC Dan Lanning Addresses 'Looming' Potential Quarterback Drama

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There is no better quarterback room in the country than in the locker room for the Oregon Ducks, but that comes at a risk for head coach Dan Lanning and his staff. 

During the College Football Playoff, Dante Moore was expected to be a top 5 pick if he came out for the 2026 NFL Draft. Before Oregon played Indiana in the CFP semifinal, there was a chance Moore could have passed Fernando Mendoza for the No. 1 pick, but the  lopsided outcome gave Mendoza the nod.

After taking some time to think, Moore decided to return to Eugene for one more season. Moore's decision came after Dylan Raiola chose to transfer to Oregon from Nebraska after being the starter for the Cornhuskers.

Raiola will be the backup for Oregon this year, and there has been chatter that the quarterback could transfer during the offseason.

During the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago on Wednesday, Lanning said there's always a "looming threat" with the transfer portal, but he doesn't believe Raiola will bolt before having a chance to start in 2027.

“I think there’s always a looming threat, but not with Dylan,” Lanning said, via On3. “I feel that Dylan chose Oregon knowing in advance what it looks like at Oregon. He wanted to sign up for an opportunity to be with us. 

"We were very transparent throughout the process that there was a great chance that Dante (Moore) could be back.”

That might be the plan for now, but things could change as the football season progresses and the coaching carousel remakes the landscape for 2027.

In the meantime, Raiola has been working to rebuild his body with Oregon, and Lanning noted that the young quarterback needs to be ready if something were to happen to Moore this fall.

“Dylan’s done an unbelievable job changing his body, working really hard,” Lanning said. “He’s got unbelievable talent, he’s a really smart player that has the opportunity to get exposed to our system. 

"The reality is that you’re only as strong as all your players. You need everybody to be a part of that, and Dylan’s a big part of our success that we’ll have this season, as well as every other quarterback in that room."

Raiola would benefit from sitting behind Moore and playing for Oregon in 2027. The program has put several quarterbacks in the league in recent years, and Moore sat behind Dillon Gabriel in 2024 before getting his chance to shine in 2025.

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