Dan Lanning, Oregon Land Promising Ranking for 2027 Recruiting Class

The Oregon Ducks have had a disappointing 2026 season, as they entered the year as contenders to win the National Championship, but hold a 4-3 record and are likely out of contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Dan Lanning and the Ducks will now set their sights on reestablishing themselves as contenders in the 2027 season. Oregon has put together a strong class, which should help them be competitive, as ESPN has their 2027 recruiting class as the third-best in the country.

The Ducks have been able to land some talented commits, headlined by wide receiver Xavier Sabb and cornerback Hayden Stepp. Sabb has been a reliable weapon in high school, with 48 receptions for 843 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, and 59 receptions for 897 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025.

He should be a key target for Oregon's offense over the next few years. Stepp will also be a key piece in the Ducks' secondary, with 24 tackles and four PBU's in the 2025 season. 

Oregon also has a talented quarterback, Will Mencl, joining the program. Mencl completed 258 of 367 pass attempts for 3,815 yards, 33 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while rushing for 741 yards and 17 touchdowns on 118 carries.

With this incoming talent, the Ducks have reason to be hopeful that they can have a bounce-back year in 2027.

Lanning has done an incredible job since he became Oregon's head coach, as he holds a 52-11 record across five seasons. The incoming recruits should help Lanning get the Ducks back to being contenders.

However, they will still want to finish the 2026 season strong. They likely won't get starting quarterback Dante Moore back after he suffered a concussion against the USC Trojans. Moore returned for a chance to contend for a National Championship and gain more experience, but he hasn't been healthy.

In four games, he completed 69.7 percent of his passes for 926 yards, nine touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Moore was also dynamic in the 2025 season, completing 71.8 percent of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Oregon has missed Moore's presence on offense, as the quarterback position has been a question mark with him off the field.

The Ducks won't be competing for a title in 2026, but with a promising recruiting class that Lanning has put together, they should be better next season.