On Tuesday morning, the Oregon Geese noticed the second 5-star quarterback within the 2026 class checklist them as a finalist of their recruitment, after which selected one other college in the long run. Earlier this spring, it was 5-star Jared Curtis who selected the Georgia Bulldogs over the Geese, whereas Tuesday noticed 5-star Ryder Lyons select the BYU Cougars over Oregon.
Whereas unlucky and considerably irritating for followers, it’s admittedly not the top of the world. Lyons could also be within the 2026 class, however due to a post-high college LDS mission, he gained’t be enrolling till 2027.
Nonetheless, shedding Lyons implies that the Geese have to land one other passer within the 2026 class to maintain their QB room full and stocked with expertise. There are a few names on the board, and a broader dialog available about what the way forward for recruiting for the place appears to be like like.
Let’s begin with some names to know within the instant future.
4-star QB Bryson Beaver
Oregon was in early on former Boise State Broncos commit Bryson Beaver, who opened up his recruitment a few weeks in the past after receiving an Oregon provide, and has since seen his recruitment blow up. In that point, Beaver has obtained a number of gives from SEC colleges like Ole Miss, LSU, and Auburn, and has been named one of many high gamers on the Elite 11 Finals.
Whereas Oregon might have been in on him early, it’s wanting like touchdown him could also be tougher than initially anticipated. The Geese are nonetheless the chief within the clubhouse to get Beaver in the mean time, however his recruitment may go on a pair extra months and into the season, so it’s one to maintain tabs on.
4-star Matt Ponatoski
One other title to know is Matt Ponatoski, a 4-star recruit out of Ohio who’s simply pretty much as good, if not higher, at baseball than he’s soccer.
Earlier this 12 months, Ponatoski achieved a uncommon feat, successful the Ohio Gatorade Participant of the 12 months for each soccer and baseball, which is one thing that has been completed in two sports activities by solely three gamers within the final 40 years: Ponatoski, Randy Moss, and Matt Bauer.
Whereas there’s an expectation that Ponatoski will announce his dedication between Oregon and the Kentucky Wildcats later this week, questions stay about his future. As such a highly-touted baseball prospect, a future exists the place he will get drafted extremely within the MLB draft this 12 months, and doesn’t find yourself enjoying any faculty soccer, selecting to go straight to the minor leagues out of highschool.
Due to this he could also be considered as a riskier QB prospect than Beaver for the Geese’ case.
The Way forward for Oregon QBs
Whereas it’s at the moment up within the air who Oregon goes to get at QB on this class, there ought to be some confidence that Dan Lanning and Will Stein will safe any person earlier than all is alleged and completed. The place they match into the longer term plans is a distinct query.
Both Dante Moore or Austin Novosad would be the beginning QB in 2025, and it’s truthful to imagine that the QB1 this season will keep on because the QB1 in 2026 as effectively. Then in 2027, the job is open as soon as once more for anybody to seize.
So who will that be? Your reply relies upon solely in your confidence degree within the guys at the moment within the room. It might be Luke Moga or Akili Smith Jr., each of whom got here to Oregon as stable recruits with a plan to develop within the system. It might be Beaver, Ponatoski, or an unnamed QB within the 2026 class who sits for a 12 months in 2026 after which beats on the others for the beginning job in 2027.
It additionally might be that Oregon chooses to return into the switch portal for a 12 months and get their passer that means, hoping {that a} QB they get within the 2027 class can develop behind them and take over down the highway.
It doesn’t matter what occurs, it’s turn into solely clear that the Geese have numerous gifted people within the QB room, and an excellent observe file of growing these gamers into stars. Whoever finally ends up stepping in because the QB1 in 2025, 2026, 2027, and past ought to garner the utmost confidence from the fanbase as Lanning and Stein construct this program out into the longer term.
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