Post-Spring Look at Oregon’s Quarterback Room

Starting a series of my own now that the transfer window is probably closed for Oregon. The Ducks had minimal activity in the Spring window both directions.

We now have the benefit of the Spring game. Which is really our only window to the team all Spring. Although practices are open for the first 15-20 minutes, there’s not much to take away from those windows.

The Spring game however gives us a little bigger window. And with the transfer portal window closed, we can take a better look at each room on this football team.

As you can expect, we’ll start with the quarterbacks.

The Projected Starter: Dillon Gabriel

No doubt Gabriel came to Oregon looking to capitalize on his final college season. He brings experience, command and leadership to the most important position in football. Regardless of arm talent or any physical traits, he’s going to bring experience which is going to be critical for Oregon.

The hard part for Gabriel, following up Bo Nix. We have all been spoiled with mistake-free football from Nix. Sure he made some mistakes, but they were few and far between. He ran an efficient offense, rarely missed the open receiver and gritted out some tough wins in his two seasons.

If he can even be 80-percent of what Nix was, it’s going to be elite-level play. I think he’ll be better than that but it still sets the floor.

The Room: Dante Moore, Austin Novosad, Luke Moga

It’s amazing to think Oregon was able to hold on to all of these quarterbacks this Spring. The addition of Dante Moore gives this team a more-than-capable backup when needed. In fact, from my marginal expertise, I didn’t think the gap between Gabriel and Moore was all that big. He could clean some things up, get a little more comfortable in the offense, but that will come with time.

I do think Gabriel starts this season. And I can’t imagine any sort of quarterback controversy along the way. But the ability for Moore to grow, train and learn from Gabriel this season is going to make it really hard for anyone to take the starting spot from him next season.

Now that said, the growth from Austin Novosad was probably the biggest difference. While I think he’s clearly behind Moore at this point, in a dark alternate world where Oregon is needing to start its third string quarterback, I think they could still win games with Novosad. Maybe not against Ohio State or Michigan, but he could win some of those middle-level and below games.

I won’t take too much away from Luke Moga’s first Spring game. Especially since he’s definitely a dual-threat and two-hand touch isn’t really fair to judge him on. But I do think we saw enough to see there is some talent and upside there and he’s got some really great tutors to learn from.

QB Room Report Card: A+

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