Dan Lanning was one of the most sought-after head coaching candidates during the 2021-22 college football hiring cycle. Since arriving at Oregon, he has made an immediate impact, leading the Ducks to a Big Ten championship and multiple College Football Playoff appearances.
However, one aspect of Lanning’s success has largely flown under the radar. It’s not just that he’s sending players to the NFL—he’s producing NFL-caliber quarterbacks. Oregon may be developing into one of college football’s premier quarterback factories.
CBS Sports recently ranked the strongest position groups in college football, and Oregon claimed the top spot at quarterback. It’s not difficult to see why.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore warms up as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit: © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“There isn’t a better quarterback room in the country. It’s not up for debate. Dante Moore is on the shortlist for the best quarterback in the sport — he’d likely go No. 1 overall if the 2027 NFL Draft happened today. His new backup, Dylan Raiola, was an above-average starter for Nebraska the last two seasons. In this era where even solid Power Four starters cost $2 million-plus, it’s really difficult to have two good quarterbacks on the same roster, especially when both have played. Oregon has two great ones. They’re both former five-star recruits with elite upside. There isn’t a better one-two combination at quarterback in the sport.”
Under Lanning, Bo Nix developed into a first-round NFL Draft pick, while Dillon Gabriel became a third-round selection. Dante Moore also entered this season with first-round projections before deciding to return to college football.
If Moore puts together another strong season, he could find himself in the conversation to become the No. 1 overall pick. Waiting behind him is Dylan Raiola, who has the talent to become the next successful quarterback to emerge from Lanning’s program.
Although Lanning has relied heavily on the transfer portal to acquire quarterbacks, Oregon’s coaching staff has done an outstanding job developing them. Few people who watched Nix at Auburn from 2019 through 2021 would have predicted he would eventually become a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts during the first half of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Nix entered Oregon as a dynamic playmaker with his legs, but his throwing mechanics needed significant refinement. Oregon helped clean up those flaws, and the improvement ultimately propelled him to the first round, where the Denver Broncos selected him.
Gabriel’s NFL situation is less favorable. He landed with the Cleveland Browns, a franchise that has struggled to develop quarterbacks in recent years. Regardless of what happens at the next level, Gabriel enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024 during his lone year at Oregon.
Lanning’s track record of developing quarterbacks continues to grow and could soon rival that of Lincoln Riley.
Is Lanning turning Oregon into college football’s next QBU?
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
