
Oregon Ducks Enter 2025 With Questions, Hopes Riding on QB1 Revival
The Oregon Ducks are stepping into 2025 with more uncertainty than usual. After enjoying the high-level production of Justin Herbert and Dillon Gabriel—two quarterbacks who successfully adapted to Dan Lanning’s system—it’s now QB1’s turn to carry the torch. Once a five-star recruit, the new starter arrives with talent but also questions after an underwhelming stint at UCLA.
Oregon is betting that its elite infrastructure and culture can reignite his career. This week, the Ducks’ quarterback offered insight into how he’s approaching the challenge of leading the team right away.
When asked about his biggest offseason focus, he pointed directly to his physical transformation.
“I’m blessed to have the strength staff we do,” he said. “But really, the focus was getting faster, cutting body fat. I’ve made progress there—hit a personal best speed this spring. It was all about trimming down and getting my body right.”
That physical reset could be a critical foundation, but he knows that quarterback play demands much more than athleticism. From mental preparation to decision-making, he detailed how much growth is required to reach the next level.
“It’s a mental game too—watching film, studying concepts, understanding what you’re seeing pre- and post-snap. I’ve been working on that nonstop. The quarterbacks I study, they’re decisive. That’s what I’m trying to bring.”
He also credited offensive coordinator Will Stein as a major influence during this transition.
“Coach Stein’s been huge for me. He’s played the position, so he knows what it’s like out there when things get chaotic. If we’re off rhythm in practice, he knows how to settle us down—quick throws, small adjustments. It helps that we can relate to him and he relates to us.”
Despite having just 221 career pass attempts—most of them coming under Chip Kelly at UCLA—he’s now the unquestioned starter. Lanning had opportunities to pursue proven quarterbacks like Carson Beck or Fernando Mendoza in the portal, but instead, he’s placing his faith in potential.
If that bet pays off, it won’t just revive a quarterback’s career—it’ll also reinforce Dan Lanning’s status as a true quarterback developer and long-term program architect.
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