Oregon closes in on a 2027 quarterback

At the Navy All-American Bowl in January, Will Mencl (rhymes with pencil) showed poise and accuracy against elite competition, picking up his fourth star.

Recruiting blew up for the 6-3, 200 dual threat passer from Chandler, Arizona after that. Florida State offered. In February, Oklahoma State, Miami, Duke and Washington followed. Adam Gorney and Steve Wiltfong of On3 Sports entered predictions that he would commit to the Ducks.

Good thing. After gaining and then losing commitments from Jaron Keawe-Sagopolutele and Bryson Beaver in the last two years, only to lose them a few weeks after Signing Day to Cal and Georgia, Dan Lanning needs to lock down a quarterback prospect for the future.

A coach wants to achieve a progression and some depth in the quarterback room. The Ducks are set in the immediate and near future with Dante Moore returning for his junior season, passing up the NFL draft, and Dylan Raiola opting for a reset as his backup, plus promising 6-6, 230 Akili Smith Jr. staying for his redshirt freshmen season, but it's crucial to have a new one in development for the years ahead.

A smart coach has to maintain a dual focus

Lanning can walk and chew gum. He has guys with leadership, smarts and experience for now, but his program is also building for long-term success. Mencl could be that guy, after Moore, Raiola and KJ.

Oregon quarterbacks have to be leaders, accurate and resourceful. As a junior at Chandler Mencl tossed 367 passes and completed 258, 70 percent, for 3,815 yards and 33 touchdowns while leading the Wolves to the Arizona Open Division State Championship with a 10-3 record. He also ran for 741 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The stats reveal exceptional decision-making. Taking over as the full-time starter in his junior year, Mencl threw just five interceptions. In August he led a fourth quarter touchdown drive in his first game against Centennial, winning 24-17.

When he talks about winning big games and making big plays, he sounds a lot like another Oregon QB, Bo Nix. In the playoff quarterfinals he threw a pop pass on 4th down against Brophy Prep, good for a winning touchdown.

He said to the reporter from AZ Central, "It was just natural instinct. I was just trying to make plays and do the best with what I got. It was a fourth down trying to extend the play. Just flipping to my guys and trust in what we do."

"I'm a football guy. I love football."

Five-star guys come out of the camps and clinics, looking impressive running around at a 7-on-7 tournament or a combine passing drill. Lanning wants the football guy, who gets it done in games.