Dan Lanning says the Oregon Ducks will rely heavily on true freshman this season as they look to defend their BIG-10 championship
Dan Lanning will rely on the Oregon Duck’s 2025 recruiting class to make an early impact for the team this fall.
The Ducks are riding high after winning the Big Ten and earning a spot in last year’s College Football Playoff, but the team heading into 2025 doesn’t look much like the one that got them there. With 18 players gone from last year’s roster, head coach Dan Lanning will lean on new leaders and a talented freshman class to carry the load.
Lanning hasn’t shied away from the challenge. He acknowledges that the roster is green but has been encouraged by what he’s seen over the summer and fall camps.
“These guys might not have the game experience yet, but they’ve gotten a lot of reps the past few months,” Lanning said. “We’re already starting to see leadership take shape.”
That leadership is expected to come from returners and the Ducks’ 2025 recruiting class, which ranked No. 5 nationally. Two names already turning heads are Dakorien Moore, the nation’s top-rated wide receiver, and Na’eem Offord, a five-star corner ranked third. Both are expected to play immediately and could be difference-makers from day one.
Of course, there will be growing pains. Lanning pointed out that mistakes are part of the process for any freshman. “They get frustrated when they mess up,” he said. “But that’s normal—it’s about how you learn and respond. That’s what will matter for us this season.”
Replacing the veterans who led Oregon’s playoff run won’t be simple, but Lanning believes this group has the potential to grow into its own identity quickly. In today’s college football world, with NIL and the transfer portal constantly reshaping rosters, adaptability is just as important as raw talent.
Oregon’s first test is on August 30 against Montana State, when fans will get their first real look at how the freshmen perform under the lights and how quickly this team can turn potential into results.
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