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The Oregon Ducks entered the 2024 CFP as the top seed, only to suffer a crushing quarterfinal loss to the OSU Buckeyes. Absolutely, it was a tough end to a dominant season. However, the Ducks went 12-0 in their first Big Ten run, then outlasted PSU 45-37 to claim the conference title. But for Dan Lanning, good isn’t good enough. Now, heading into his fourth season, Lanning is on a mission. And the goal? A national championship. As of now, he’s got the talent, the momentum, and the drive. So, the question isn’t if Oregon can compete — it’s how far they’ll go. And it’s time for Lanning to build a title-winning roster.

On a recent episode of On3 Recruits, Josh Newberg broke down five CFB teams primed for a MONSTER year in recruiting. And the first name he mentioned? Oregon. However, he then revealed Dan Lanning’s strategy for this year’s class, saying, “We’re going to start with Oregon. They recruited really well at both levels — number four at the high school level, number four in the transfer portal index ranking.” Newberg’s praise for Lanning didn’t stop there. “Lanning has done a great job of overhauling this complete roster since Mario Cristobal was the head coach. 27 transfers between ‘23 and ‘24.” But here’s the takeaway: “If you look at this year, only 10. This year, six of the 10 were four-stars in the transfer portal index, so quality over quantity is what I’m seeing in this year’s transfer portal class.”

To be honest, looks like Lanning refuses to repeat history. And with calculated moves and a sharp eye for talent, he’s choosing quality over quantity — a blueprint built for long-term dominance. See, last year, the Ducks brought in 13 key transfers, including Dillon Gabriel, Evan Stewart, and Bear Alexander — big names with big-game potential. But this year? Lanning’s focus is sharper than ever. That’s why his recruiting strategy stays locked in. Whether it’s the transfer portal or high school talent, every move is a step toward a national title.

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And Newberg summed it up perfectly, stating, “In the high school recruiting, though, has been on a rise. The Ducks signed 19 players in their high school class, but they had an average ranking of 93.36 — the highest in the country. So, there were teams that signed more than 19, you know, into 20, 25, 26, 27 guys. Oregon, only 19, but the highest average ranking out of anybody else in the country.”

But he didn’t stop there. And he continued, saying, “And that comes on the heels of the nation’s number three class in 2024. So, get ready, because the Oregon Ducks aren’t going anywhere.” So, Lanning isn’t just stacking talent — he’s setting a new standard.

Safe to say, the Ducks are building for sustained dominance, and if the competition isn’t paying attention, they’re already behind. But while Oregon’s head coach, Dan Lanning, is busy building a championship-caliber roster, the program suffered a setback at the hands of Lincoln Riley’s USC.

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Can Dan Lanning's Ducks overcome USC's recruiting coup and reclaim their top spot in college football?

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Dan Lanning got hit where it hurts

Dan Lanning is building a powerhouse, but USC just shook things up. Yes, the Trojans pulled off a major flip, snagging Oregon’s QB commit, Jonas Williams. And with that move, USC jumped to No. 1 in the 2026 recruiting class rankings, via Rivals. So, not only did Lincoln Riley steal a top QB from a B1G rival, but the flip also knocked Oregon down to No. 2. It is really a tough hit for the Ducks.

You know, they had their sights set on flipping Williams late, and they got their guy. Given his ranking, Williams is undeniably a top-tier athlete. He is the No. 45 recruit in the nation and the top player out of Illinois. On top of that, he is the No. 7 quarterback in the 2026 class, per Rivals. He had been locked in with Oregon since August, but the Trojans wouldn’t take no for an answer. And wow, with Williams headed to LA instead of Eugene, USC just scored big — and Oregon just took a hit.

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Furthermore, with this move, Former Notre Dame general manager Chad Bowden just made his mark at USC. Landing, the standout QB was one of his first big wins as the Trojans’ GM. You know, for years, USC had trailed Oregon in both recruiting battles and the NIL game. But with this flip, the Trojans sent a message — they’re no longer playing catch-up.

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Can Dan Lanning's Ducks overcome USC's recruiting coup and reclaim their top spot in college football?

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