Oregon quarterback room brilliantly constructed

At some schools the coach, the offensive coordinator and the NIL cooperative try to stuff the roster with a five-star quarterback every year.

Predictably, one wins the job and two others transfer out the next winter. Five of the last seven QBs to win the Heisman have come out of the Transfer Portal.

What Oregon has done instead underscores the planning, development and appreciation of value that characterizes the entire organization. What the Ducks have is four quarterbacks in different stages of development each with a specific role in the program.

The Oregon approach has more staying power. At the top the Ducks have five-star transfer Dante Moore, who just completed a year apprenticeship, working and learning behind Dillon Gabriel.

Moore has pro-level arm talent at 6-3, 210. Teammates rave about his leadership ability and playmaking skills.

At Big Ten Media Day tight end Kenyon Sadiq said, "He's a guy who connect with anyone, really. I think he's done a great job of embracing that this summer. He's been inviting guys over for fellowship and to have food and just spend time together. He's a really personable person. He's easy to get along with. He's going to crack jokes with you. He's just a good dude."

Dan Lanning is careful to praise all four quarterbacks equally (he typically includes walk-on Brock Thomas, characterizing the position battle as an open competition) but it's pretty clear that Moore is the alpha male and heir apparent.

But the Ducks are blessed to have a high-quality backup in Austin Novosad. Will Stein could win games with the 6-3, 205 four-star from Dripping Springs, Texas. He's intelligent and throws a beautiful ball. He understands the offense.

Novosad threw for 8,943 yards and 114 touchdowns as a prep, and in two seasons of mop-up duty he's 11-13 for 59 yards as a Duck. He's competent. He understands his role. He keeps pushing for the starting job in a constructive way.

Veteran receiver Gary Bryant Jr. said this spring, "I love Austin. I've been getting a lot of a lot of reps with him. He's a deep ball thrower. Every deep ball is right there on the money. He's been a lot more vocal this year, knowing what to do, the plays in and out, getting guys linked up, and I think they've been doing a pretty good job of letting all the quarterbacks compete."

If at any time the Ducks had to go to their bench, Novosad would do a competent job and keep them in the game.

In the QB-3 role Stein and the UO staff deliberately chose a guy who is perfect for that role in the pecking order. Luke Moga is a scrapper, a competitor with a longer development arc who came from a small school but has incredible determination and work habits, plus some unique, intriguing skills.

He's a 10.52 sprinter. He's worked to improve as a passer. And he's not going anywhere, not conceding anything in a room of more highly-touted guys. That's exactly what you want in QB-3.

Novosad and Moga might elect to move on at some point. But fans have to appreciate their all-in approach to growing, developing and competing while they are here. They're in the lab. They're in the film room. They're preparing like their turn to start could come at any moment.

The fourth scholarship quarterback on the roster is Akili Smith Jr. from Lincoln High School in San Diego, California, son of Oregon great Akili Smith.

Smith was another brilliant choice, because he's (again) intelligent and committed to development. He understands that he's here to learn, that it's a process. He came to Oregon specifically to get developed, with a timetable that makes sense.

When a five-star prospect committed to Oregon, Smith Jr. stayed. When the five-star took one look at Moore during Rose Bowl practice and decided to transfer, Smith Jr. went back to offseason throwing and the weight room.

He's exactly the right kind of kid you'd want waiting in the wings, because like the other three, he's doing his work and preparing for his time. He understands that playing time is earned, not given, not demanded.

This ranking doesn't know ball.

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