Oregon Ducks In Danger Of Losing Quarterback Commit Jonas Williams: USC Trojans Flip

The Oregon Ducks are in danger of losing four-star class of 2026 quarterback Jonas Williams to the USC Trojans. Williams has been committed to coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks since August, but coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans are predicted to flip Williams' commitment.
Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning leaves the field after a CFP Quarterfinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning leaves the field after a CFP Quarterfinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks are now predicted to lose four-star quarterback Jonas Williams to the USC Trojans per Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons of On3. Williams committed to Oregon back in August of 2024, but thing look to be trending in a different direction.

Williams Trending To Flip From Oregon

Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson is hoisted into the air to celebrate a touchdown as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the Washingt
Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson is hoisted into the air to celebrate a touchdown as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the Washington Huskies Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jonas Williams is a 6-1, 200 pound quarterback out of New Lenox, Illinois. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 13 quarterback in the class of 2026 per 247Sports. 

Jonas Williams has been committed to coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks for over half a year, but it is very much up in the air that they retain him as the recruiting cycle continues.

Williams had this to say to 247Sports during Super Bowl week in New Orleans at the “Nike’s Next Ones” event. 

“Coach (Will) Stein is a great coach. Coach Lanning is as well. There is a trust factor there,” Williams said. “At the time it seemed like it was the best place for me…there’s been some things that have transpired recently though.”

Williams was asked which schools he is planning on taking official visits to. He listed Oregon, USC, LSU, and Ole Miss. 

When talking about USC, Williams said that they are "trending" in his decision.

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Jonas Williams High On USC

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against
Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Here’s what Williams had to say about USC recently to On3 after visiting. 

“Coach Riley, he is the driving factor in my recruitment. He’s been recruiting me pretty hard,” Williams said. “It’s one of my top contenders. I’m just taking it all in and grateful for the experience.”

USC’s recruiting classes for 2025 and 2026 have caught the eye of Williams.

“What they did with the ’25 class and what they’re doing with the ’26 is pretty intriguing,” Williams said. 

On3 also caught up with Jonas’s father, John. He also spoke about how the visit to USC was.

“It was a very nice and impressive university. The campus is nice. Obviously a great education out there and the football program speaks for itself,” John said. “(Coach Lincoln Riley) seems pretty trustworthy. Pretty humble guy. Obviously knowledgable in the football arena.”

The Future of Oregon's Quarterback Room

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws out a pass as offensive coordinator Will Stein during practice with the Oregon Ducks
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws out a pass as offensive coordinator Will Stein during practice with the Oregon Ducks Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Oregon will turn to quarterback Dante Moore to be the starter in 2025. Moore has only one year of being a starter under his belt, when he was a freshman at UCLA in 2023. Moore sat behind Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel last season. He still has multiple seasons of college eligibly left.

In the Ducks most recent recruiting in class in 2025, they landed four-star quarterback Akili Smith Jr. He probably won't see the field too much this upcoming season as he sits behind Moore.

Jonas Williams is currently the only quarterback in the class of 2026 to commit to Oregon.

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Cory Pappas
CORY PAPPAS

Cory Pappas is sports writer for USC Trojans On SI and Oregon Ducks On SI. Since starting in March of 2024, he has been writing breaking news stories, game previews, game recaps, and more across College Sports, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics for Total Apex Sports. In addition to writing, Cory is also a sports data scout for Sportradar. He covers live sporting events ranging from college athletics to semi-pro and professional. Before joining the industry, Cory graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022. He ran track for Oregon's club Track and Field team. Before Oregon, he played varsity basketball and track and field in high school in Walnut Creek, CA. Cory is using his lifelong passion for sports and writing together.