Oregon Eyes a Breakthrough Behind Lanning, Moore 

Coming off a 13-2 season in which they made the College Football Playoff semifinals, the Oregon Ducks look to take the leap from contenders to champions. Led by head coach Dan Lanning and redshirt junior quarterback Dante Moore, the Ducks are poised to do more than just qualify for the playoffs. Their goal is a national championship.  

“Certainly, really proud of the team and the work that they've put in. But we have high expectations,” Lanning said. “We’ve got a lot that we want to accomplish.” 

At Big Ten Media Days presented by Discover, Lanning emphasized that this team feels different. "I think this will be the most player-led team we've had during my time at Oregon," Lanning said. "Last year we had a ton of talent. This year we have a lot of experience returning." 

With Oregon just a couple wins away last season, fans in Eugene are ready for their turn to hold the CFP trophy. 

The Ducks Want Moore 

Moore will look to be the signal-caller to bring home the hardware, following numerous elite Oregon passers (including Heisman finalists and NFL quarterbacks Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel). In 2025, Moore lit up the scoreboards, leading the Ducks to the 11th best offense in the country on a points per game basis at 36.9 (via ESPN). Individually, he threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns, adding 156 more yards and two scores with his legs. 

In 2026, Moore wants to embrace his role, and he echos Lanning’s notes on the team’s leadership as a whole. 

“We’ve had a lot of meetings where we’re just player-led, where we all just sit down and open up to each other,” he said. 

In his opening statement, Lanning praised his veteran QB and his multifaceted leadership. “He's obviously a special quarterback, but what makes Dante so special is who he is as a person. Seeing the community outreach that he does, the leader that he is for his teammates, the work that he's done... Now he has some business that he wants to complete.” 

Moore is excited after another offseason—during which he gained 17 pounds in the weight room—though his offensive coordinator from a season ago Will Stein left to become Kentucky’s new head coach. Luckily for Moore and the offense, Lanning decided to replace Stein with an in-house candidate in Drew Mehringer — the former co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from a year ago. And Moore is confident in the Ducks’ headman’s decisions.  

“We’re just trusting coach Lanning,” Moore said. “He brings fuel to me... He pushes me in practice... and I need it.” 

And the Ducks need him. 

Oregon’s Next Weapon 

A hole expected to be filled in a big way is the tight end position. With former Duck Kenyon Sadiq picked in the first round of the NFL Draft by the New York Jets, it’s his backup from a season ago, redshirt sophomore Jamari Johnson, that will take over as the lead tight end on the roster. 

Johnson possesses many of the qualities that made Sadiq elite. A mix of size, speed and hands is good enough to get any coordinator in the country excited. The redshirt junior put up stats that exceeded Sadiq’s 2024 sophomore campaign. Johnson had 467 yards on 28 catches, as well as three touchdowns. As he enters 2026, he’s more confident in himself and feels the team has the off-the-field factor mastered this season. 

“What sets us apart is our connection,” he said. “We know each other’s why and why we’re doing this.” 

Johnson is ready to become the teacher after years of being considered number two. He reiterated his willingness to lead the Ducks’ fresh squad going into fall camp. 

“We have a young team, so all of the guys are looking up to us, and we’re getting them right.” 

Joining Johnson in the tight ends room will be four-star Penn State transfer Andrew Olesh, who was a coveted pickup from the portal. With a deep selection of tight ends as well as Johnson’s return, the Ducks have the opportunity to build their skill room and blockers for the trenches at the same time.  

Contender to Champion? 

While they have Michigan and Ohio State on their schedule, the Ducks seemed primed to make another playoff run— perhaps deeper than we’ve seen before. Only time will tell whether 2026 could be the season the Ducks raise the national title. 

If Lanning is right, Oregon’s blend of experience, leadership and belief may be exactly what pushes this program over the top. The Ducks have spent the last few years knocking on the door — now comes their chance to kick it down. 

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