The Oregon Ducks could ultimately lose this quarterback recruit to an SEC team.
The Oregon Ducks always seem to manage to boast one of the best quarterbacks in the country, although most of that work has come via the transfer portal in recent years.
However, Oregon is still hot on the recruiting trail when it comes to pursuing signal-callers, and right now, the Ducks are making a serious push for four-star 2027 quarterback Will Mencl.
Oregon is considered by most to be the leader of the pack in Mencl's recruitment, but the Ducks are facing stiff competition from an SEC team: the Auburn Tigers.
In fact, Mencl is meeting with Auburn on Tuesday, just over three months after the Tigers made an offer to the Chandler, Az. product.
Mencl made an unofficial visit to Eugene back in November and received an offer from the Ducks on the same day.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback has gathered 26 offers in total, including Florida State, Miami, North Carolina and Penn State, among others.
Will Mencl. Credit: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Rivals actually has Mencl ranked as a five-star prospect, but 247 Sports' composite rankings has him placed as the seventh-ranked quarterback and the 84th-ranked player in his class overall.
Auburn football has fallen off considerably in recent years, so you wouldn't think that the Tigers should pose much of a threat to Oregon.
However, the Ducks' handling of the quarterback position under Dan Lanning, prioritizing transfers over commits, could ultimately weigh on Mencl's mind.
Not only that, but Auburn just hired Alex Golesh as its new head coach, so the atmosphere feels a bit different for the program right now.
Oregon will have Dante Moore under center for 2026 and also landed former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola in the transfer portal over the winter, so the quarterback position is pretty stacked in Eugene at the moment.
The Ducks have Akili Smith Jr. waiting in the wings, as well, so there are plenty of reasons for Mencl to be scared off of Oregon.
That being said, the Ducks could surely offer Mencl a very lucrative NIL package, which will certainly be a factor when it comes to the youngster making his decision.
Mencl recently said he is hoping to visit Oregon again this spring.
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