Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks Drop In Top-25 Football Rankings: Notre Dame, LSU Move Up

With way-too-early predictions for the 2025 football season flooding in, a recent estimation places the Oregon Ducks at No. 8 in the nation with a challenge to coach Dan Lanning to advance in the College Football Playoffs. Notre Dame and LSU move up in the rankings.
Ally Osborne|
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning breaks from a huddle as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning breaks from a huddle as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

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During every college football offseason, speculation runs at an all-time high for the upcoming season. Spring games, open practices, and additions to each team through recruiting and transfer portal pick-ups prompts media members to share their ideas on which programs will succeed.

In the most recent "Way-Too-Early" post-spring Top 25 ranking released last Thursday, ESPN college football reporter Mark Schlabach knocked the Oregon Ducks down two spots, moving Oregon from a No. 6 ranking to a No. 8.

For Schlabach, this movement hinges on Oregon coach Dan Lanning's progress in the post-season, and the loss of a major leader for the Ducks.

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (0) celebrates a sack during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (0) celebrates a sack during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"The Ducks went back to work after winning a Big Ten title and finishing 13-0 in the regular season. The next step for coach Dan Lanning is to advance in the CFP," Schlabach wrote. "Former five-star prospect Dante Moore was battling Austin Novosad to replace Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterback."

Schlabach, and many who observe the Ducks leading into the 2025 season, have raised concerns around the security at the quarterback position given this is the first year in Lanning's tenure an older transfer quarterback (see Bo Nix and Gabriel) will not be utilized in favor of a mostly in-house developed talent with Moore or Novosad. Both quarterbacks studied under Gabriel the season prior.

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Combat Ducks quarterback Dante Moore throws out a pass as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the Oregon Duc
Combat Ducks quarterback Dante Moore throws out a pass as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the Oregon Ducks spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"Coach Lanning, he does a really great job for how we do the spring. He doesn't really have you with one group the whole spring. Every week, we change receivers, O-line, or different center just to get different feels with everybody. But overall, I mean, we have playmakers everywhere. And I just know we have a lot of talent," Moore said regarding receiver chemistry after the spring game.

In his ranking explanation, Schlabach highlighted the new additions to the Oregon offense, including transfer running back Makhi Hughes from Tulane, and offensive lineman transfers Emmanuel Pregnon from USC, Isaiah World of Nevada, and Alex Harkey from Texas State.

Alex Harkey celebrates at the end of the Oregon Spring game at Autzen in Eugene April 26, 2025
Alex Harkey celebrates at the end of the Oregon Spring game at Autzen in Eugene April 26, 2025 | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Schlabach posited that all of those listed athletes will likely start in their respective positions, though Oregon utilized a variety of their players throughout the spring game.

One of those players that saw a lot of highlights is freshman wide receiver Dakorien Moore, who finished with three catches and 47-yards and is expected to be a serious competitor for the top receiver spot in 2025.

"Freshman Dakorien Moore, the No. 1 receiver prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300, had a great spring and probably will challenge for a starting job," Schlabach added.

He also pointed to several returning Ducks on both sides like center Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu, linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei, linebacker Bryce Boettcher, and wide receiver Evan Stewart (though he notably did not see much action during the spring game).

Oregon was surpassed on the "Way-Too-Early" Top 25 list by Notre Dame (No.7) and LSU (No.6).

The Ducks begin their 2025 season on August 30th against the Montana State Wildcats. Kickoff time has yet to be announced.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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