5-star QB Will Mencl, nation's top passer, commits to Oregon Ducks

Since taking over the Oregon Ducks in 2022, Dan Lanning's routine has been to recruit quality talent at the quarterback position but to give way to elite transfer portal passers to lead the offense. That could continue, but the Ducks' latest commitment might buck the trend.

Five-star quarterback Will Mencl announced his commitment to the Ducks live on the Rivals YouTube channel on Wednesday. He picked the Ducks over Auburn and Penn State. Mencl is the top-ranked quarterback in the country and the No. 13 overall recruit in the 2027 cycle, per Rivals.

Oregon has been all over the signal caller from Chandler, Arizona, on the recruiting trail after extending an offer in the fall. Auburn made a late push, but a recent visit to Eugene sealed the deal for Mencl and the Ducks. He is now the highest-ranked recruit in Oregon's class, and the highest-rated quarterback commit for the Ducks since Ty Thompson in 2021.

Mencl is a prolific dual-threat quarterback, completing more than 70% of his passes for 3,815 yards and 33 touchdowns against five interceptions in his junior season, leading Chandler to a state title berth. He also rushed for 741 yards and an additional 17 touchdowns.

Although the Ducks already have Dylan Raiola and former four-star Akili Smith Jr. preparing to replace Dante Moore in 2027, there can never be too much talent in the quarterback room, and Mencl could push both of them right away.