The Oregon Ducks are gearing up for the 2025 football season after ending the previous year with high hopes but falling short of expectations. The Ducks’ season concluded with a disappointing 41-21 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2025, marking the end of Dillon Gabriel's college career.
With the offseason officially underway, Ducks fans find themselves at another crossroads, reflecting on the departures of several key players, including the gifted quarterback Gabriel, who decided to enter the NFL Draft after leading the team to yet another impressive season. Gabriel's statistics during his single season at Oregon were remarkable—completing 1,376 of 2,111 passes for 18,722 yards, 155 touchdowns, and only 32 interceptions over 63 college starts. Despite these achievements, the quest for eternal glory continues, spurring conversations about who will take the helm at quarterback.
Fans have their eyes set on Dante Moore, the top candidate to replace Gabriel as the starting quarterback. Moore, who transferred to Oregon after spending time at UCLA, is seen as the potential star of the future. “Dante Moore will be a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2025,” declared Tez Johnson, alluding to the high expectations surrounding Moore’s ability to fill the shoes left by Gabriel. With Moore's background, having been groomed as the Bruins’ starter before joining the Ducks, he promises exciting possibilities for the upcoming season.
Moore isn’t the only name to watch, as the quarterback competition heats up with Austin Novosad and Luke Moga also vying for the starter position. While Novosad has limited playing experience, there are indications he has made significant progress during the offseason. Moga, on the other hand, enters the scene with less experience but is expected to learn quickly as he trains alongside more seasoned passers.
The Ducks will also welcome freshman Akili Smith Jr., who is anticipated to come onboard and eventually battle for playing time behind the starters. The depth at the quarterback position remains encouraging for Oregon fans, especially considering the program's illustrious history of elite signal-callers, ranging from Joey Harrington to Justin Herbert.
Beyond the quarterback challenges, the Ducks are grappling with the need for rebuilding at several key position groups. The inside linebacker core takes another significant hit with the loss of starters Jeffrey Bassa and Bryce Boettcher, both of whom were pivotal to the team's defensive strategies. Their combined departures amount to 177 tackles, which is no small void to be filled.
Returning for the Ducks is Devon Jackson, who posted a career-high 47 tackles last season and is expected to lead what will likely be an inexperienced group of linebackers. Though not many experienced players remain, some younger talents like Brayden Platt and Dylan Williams are poised to emerge during the new season. The Ducks are still exploring the transfer portal for veteran players who could provide stability to the linebacker position.
Another area of concern is the secondary, where almost all starters are departing, including both safety slots and cornerbacks. This exodus puts pressure on those left behind to step up or find quick replacements from incoming recruits. There is hope with new five-star recruits and promising depth players who may compete for starting roles.
Wide receiver is another position needing attention, especially with the departure of dynamic starter Tez Johnson, who excelled with 83 receptions for 898 yards and ten touchdowns last season. The Ducks will also miss Traeshon Holden, a solid contributor. If junior Evan Stewart, who has had solid performances, chooses to leave for the NFL, Oregon's receiving corps could struggle heading forward and will require freshman talent like Dakorien Moore to deliver results early.
Notably, the Ducks have seen good fortune enlisting strong recruits to replace key departures. They’ll be welcoming five-star athletes to help fill various position needs. Coach Dan Lanning and his staff will capitalize on talent acquisition to maintain the team’s competitiveness as they transition to new seasons and strategies.
For Oregon fans, the question now looms large: Can the Ducks navigate through this pivotal offseason and rise to meet the expectations? With promising talent like Dante Moore potentially under center, and fresh recruits set to join the team, many are hopeful for what this new chapter will bring.
While the 2025 season is still months away, the excitement pulsates through Eugene as fans, coaches, and players gear up for the challenges and triumphs to come. With the coaching staff focused on enhancing the team’s capabilities and depth, the Ducks look to establish themselves as contenders again.
The Oregon Ducks may have experienced setbacks, but the looming potential of new talent promises to invigorate the team, setting the stage for their ambitions and hopes for the upcoming season.