Breaking Down Oregon Ducks Quarterback Room Ahead of Season Opener

Here's a look at the Oregon Ducks quarterbacks entering the 2026 college football season.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore walks off the field during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Oregon Ducks will be led by one of the best quarterbacks in college football this season, Dante Moore. 

His decision to forgo the 2026 NFL Draft and return to Eugene has put the Ducks in a prime position to win their first national championship in program history this season. Moore returns to the Ducks not only looking to lead Oregon to that milestone but also to improve his leadership skills and accuracy as a quarterback by limiting turnovers. 

Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up prior to the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While much of the attention at the quarterback position is on Moore, the Ducks also have several potential future starters waiting in line. Here’s a look at the Ducks' quarterbacks as they enter a 2026 season filled with national championship expectations. 

Starter: Dante Moore

Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) looks to pass against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Being Dillon Gabriel’s understudy for the 2024 season helped Moore thrive in his first season as the starting quarterback for the Ducks. With high expectations put on his shoulders last season, Moore delivered, leading the Ducks to the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive year.

Moore finished the season as the Big Ten’s third-leading passer behind USC Trojans’ star Jayden Maiava and Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin, throwing for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. 

With his return to the Ducks, Moore looks to show more of his mobility as a quarterback, and the way he leads Oregon’s offense could, in fact, be the team’s biggest key to winning the national championship. 

Entering the season, Oregon coach Dan Lanning has been very clear about the expectations for Moore. Lanning recently revealed those expectations for Moore during Oregon Football Media Day in Eugene. 

“I think with any great player, you always say. ‘What are they capable of? What can they handle?’ And the more they can handle, the more you throw at them. Right? You throw the kitchen sink at them and see what they can do,” Lanning said at Oregon's media day. 

“But on the same note, let’s not forget how we got here and what’s made him really good in the past. So, every player is different. Dante has a ton of experience. We’re going to add wrinkles every single year on both sides of the ball, and then special teams,” Lanning continued. 

QB2: Dylan Raiola

Fighting Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola warms up during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Expected to back up Moore this season is former Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola, who looks to develop his skills to potentially play at the highest level as the starter after the 2026 season. 

Raiola arrives in Eugene following two seasons in Lincoln, where he experienced several highs and lows as Nebraska’s starting quarterback, throwing for 4,819 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.

Being the backup for a season could lead to Raiola’s success as a starting quarterback for the Ducks in the future. If it can work for Moore, there’s no reason why it can’t for Raiola. Ever since his arrival, Raiola has improved his skills. This improvement has been noticed by Lanning, especially during the Ducks' recent scrimmage amid fall camp.  

“Yeah, Dylan’s gotten a lot better,” Lanning said. “He looks like a night-and-day different player from when he got here in the spring. 

“That being said there’s moments already I know from today that I’m like, okay, this is something we've got to improve, right? So we have to attack,” Lanning continued. 

QB3: Brock Thomas

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Brock Thomas (12) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Ducks' third-string quarterback is likely to be Brock Thomas, who’ll enter his junior season with Oregon. During his time with the Ducks, Thomas has produced 130 passing yards and a touchdown. 

As a high school recruit, Thomas turned down multiple scholarships to other schools to walk on at Oregon. A native of Eugene, Oregon, Thomas was rated as a three-star recruit when he committed to the Ducks in the 2023 recruiting class, per 247Sports. 

QB4: Akili Smith Jr. 

Combat Ducks quarterback Akili Smith Jr. throws a pass before the game as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the Oregon Ducks spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

One of the young stars in the Ducks' quarterback room is Akili Smith Jr., a talented redshirt freshman from San Diego Lincoln High School in California. The son of former Ducks quarterback Akili Smith, Smith Jr. has great potential to be a future star for Oregon. 

While he’s still developing, his name and talent could give him an edge to become the starting quarterback for the Ducks in the future. As a recruit, Smith was rated as the No. 201 player nationally and No. 25 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, per 247Sports.

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