Dan Lanning addresses Oregon's growth at quarterback, timetable for QB1 decision

On3 imageby:Alex Weber07/29/22

Oregon said goodbye to its head coach and fifth-year senior starting quarterback Anthony Brown after last season. A total changing of the guard in Eugene. Former Georgia DC Dan Lanning was selected to head up the program. Among his initial responsibilities: sort through a hefty quarterback competition.

Returners Ty Thompson and Jay Butterfield are in the mix, as each were backups for the Ducks last season. Although neither threw more than a handful of passes, with Thompson appeared in three games compared to just one for Butterfield.

However, the overwhelming favorite to win the 2022 starting job has to be Auburn import Bo Nix. He started for the Tigers since he was a true freshman, taking the first snap under center in 34 games across his three-year career in Auburn. His reckless approach eventually wore out in the SEC and he now heads to a program that should embrace his gunslinger mentality a bit more.

But Dan Lanning really refused to budge when pushed about the QB battle by reporters at Pac-12 Media Days. He praised all three guys when asked about the competition and had no edge to offer one way or another.

Here were his comments:

“Yeah, I’m really excited. Just at the end of the day you want to know you have quarterbacks in your program you think you can win with. I think we have multiple guys that can do that. With Bo Nix, Ty Thompson and Jay Butterfield — have all been extreme competitors.

“Probably more than anything I’ve been excited with their passion to improve. To be elite, to be a special player, you have to go above and beyond. All of those guys have really contributed in the success of what work they did this summer when people weren’t watching, what it looked like when there weren’t people standing on the field assessing their efforts. Those guys have put in a lot of extra work.”

Sounds like the starting quarterback job is completely up in the air. Though one would think Nix’s extensive SEC experience and sheer arm talent will likely wind up winning him the spot. Can never be sure, though.