Dan Lanning evaluates transfer portal class, balance with high school recruiting

Through the first couple weeks of the transfer portal window, Oregon has been one of the biggest winners with two of the top three quarterbacks committed. All the while, Dan Lanning and the coaching staff have been putting together an impressive high school recruiting class ahead of National Signing Day.

It’s all part of the balancing act the Ducks are performing as they prepare to make the move to the Big Ten.

Lanning joined Big Ten Network on Signing Day to discuss the incoming talent. With Bo Nix off to the NFL Draft after the bowl game, Oregon landed Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore to bolster depth at the position, and the high school recruiting class ranks among the best in the nation. Combine the two groups, and Lanning has an impressive wave of talent making its way to Eugene.

“I’m really excited about the guys we have coming in,” Lanning said. “I think more than anything, people realize the success that our players have had since they’ve been here and since our staff’s been here. We’re always looking to add top-notch talent that can, again, add to our team.

“We’ve been really good in the portal so far and we’ve been really good in high school recruiting. I think when you have a great balance there, it gives you an opportunity to develop a great team.”

Dan Lanning, Oregon secure impressive blend of transfer portal and high school talent

Gabriel and Moore are the highest-profile additions this year, coming in from Oklahoma and UCLA, respectively. Moore came in at No. 5 in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings while Gabriel was right behind him at No. 6. They are also the No. 2 and No. 3-ranked quarterbacks, respectively, behind Cam Ward.

On the high school recruiting trail, though, Oregon held the nation’s No. 5-ranked as of 5 p.m. ET on National Signing Day, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. The biggest signee so far is four-star EDGE Elijah Rushing — a four-star recruit and the nation’s No. 38 overall prospect from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

However, the biggest news came when Oregon flipped Ohio State wide receiver commit Jeremiah McClellan. He signed his Letter of Intent on Wednesday to add to the Ducks’ impressive class as Lanning looks to haul in a second consecutive top-10 group since taking over at Oregon.