After a remarkable season, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks are actively working the recruiting trail—not just to address immediate needs, but to build for the long term as well.
Oregon exceeded expectations by going undefeated in the regular season, earning the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
One hallmark of Oregon’s most successful teams has been consistently strong quarterback play.
Recently, Dillon Gabriel became the latest Ducks quarterback to hear his name called in the NFL Draft. Though seen by some as a journeyman, Gabriel tied the school’s career record for passing touchdowns. Before him, Bo Nix dazzled with high-powered performances, following in the footsteps of notable Oregon alumni like Justin Herbert and Marcus Mariota.
Despite landing a top-10 overall recruit recently, the Ducks have yet to secure a quarterback commitment for the 2026 class.
That could change soon with four-star quarterback Matt Ponatoski emerging as a top target. Ranked the No. 22 quarterback nationally and the No. 15 player from Ohio, Ponatoski has drawn attention from several top programs.
In an interview with Angela Miele, Ponatoski outlined his current recruiting plans: “I’m thinking about getting to Wake Forest, getting to Oregon, get to Alabama, and kind of make my decision after that. Not that I’m trying to make my decision not too long from now. Just don’t want to drag it. Play my senior year and be done with it. But still taking the process slow, just so I make the decision right.”
What makes Ponatoski especially intriguing is his dual-sport potential — he’s also a highly regarded baseball prospect. Oregon, with its strong baseball program and recent Big Ten Championship win in its first year in the conference, could present a compelling opportunity for him to pursue both sports.
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