The college football transfer portal officially opened on Dec. 4, allowing players to declare for a different school of their choice. Entering the transfer portal is a gamble for players, as they may not get the offers they expect — but it has brought some top talent into the college football spotlight and brings on the question of where they will end up. Dillon Gabriel, considerably the best quarterback and player to enter the portal, according to ESPN, has just transferred to the University of Oregon along with the fourth-best quarterback in the portal, Dante Moore. 

Formerly the starting quarterback for the University of Oklahoma, Gabriel led the Sooners to a 10-2 season and threw for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions. His stats impressed the nation and made him the top target from the transfer portal. Gabriel originally committed to the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 2019, until he transferred to Oklahoma in 2022 to play one season with the Sooners. On Dec. 9, Gabriel announced that his final year of eligibility would be spent with the Oregon Ducks. 

Moore, who just transferred to Oregon as of Dec. 18, originally committed to play with the University of Oregon in 2022 but flipped to play for UCLA and Chip Kelly. Moore was a 5-star quarterback out of his draft class and one of the best high school players in the country. He would start his freshman year of college with the Bruins in 2023. Moore would go on to play nine games and would throw 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions, leading the Bruins to a 7-5 season. While these stats might not be impressive compared to Gabriel, Moore still has four years of eligibility — his potential is high. Realistically, Moore won’t appear in many Oregon games next year, as Gabriel will most likely have much more leverage as a veteran. But, Moore sets up Oregon for an even bigger future and possibly one of the best backup quarterbacks in college football. 

Gabriel and Moore have big shoes to fill after the Heisman finalist, Bo Nix, departs from Oregon for the NFL draft. This happens simultaneously as many of Oregon’s offensive stars have announced their departure from Oregon and are looking to be drafted by the NFL. Star running back, Bucky Irving, and main receiver, Troy Franklin, have recently announced their leave. Star offensive linebacker and center, Jackson Powers-Johnson, who had just won the Rimington Trophy (awarded to the best center in college football), is also leaving for the draft. This leaves the Ducks with a fresh offense for next season that is hungry for the college football playoffs after being absent since 2014. 

Oregon’s new offense won’t be the only change during the 2024 season — the biggest test will be the conference change to the Big Ten. The Pac-12’s downfall has been the talk of the year, with nearly all teams departing from the conference. Only Oregon State and Washington State remain; creating a two-team conference. Oregon now faces new competition for this upcoming season. Teams such as Michigan and Ohio State are now in-season games, which will be a new-found challenge for the Ducks. Can Gabriel or Moore rise to the occasion and lead the Ducks into new territory with the Big Ten and potentially the college football playoffs? 

One of the biggest takeaways from Oregon’s season was the two losses to Washington, Oregon’s biggest rival. It cost the Ducks not only the Pac-12 title but also a chance for the college football playoffs and sealed off the Heisman from Bo Nix. Washington also stands in a similar position as Oregon, as their quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., is also leaving for the NFL. Also like the Ducks, the Huskies have just obtained Will Rogers from the transfer portal, former Mississippi State quarterback. Rogers played eight games in 2023 for the Bulldogs, throwing for 1,626 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. This will make for an interesting year for the Ducks and Huskies rivalry, as we’ll see two transfer quarterbacks craving the Heisman conversation and Oregon on the hunt for revenge. 

Pressure and stakes are high, and Gabriel is looking to walk in former legend Marcus Mariota’s footsteps. Mariota has a renowned career at Oregon, he was the first Oregonian and Polynesian player to ever win the Heisman trophy in 2014. Gabriel, who also hails from Hawai’i, announced he will be wearing Marcus Mariota’s lucky number eight when playing for the Ducks, after gaining Mariota’s approval.  

Bowl season is upon us and the Ducks are faced against the undefeated underdogs of Liberty University in the Fiesta Bowl. Gabriel and Moore will be on the sideline with the Ducks on Jan. 1, as Nix will play his final minutes of college football. It will be an intriguing game, as we’ll see if the Ducks can show Liberty what power five football means, or if the Eagles can stun the Ducks and prove their worth as an undefeated team. 

The 2024 Oregon season is shaping up to be an entertaining one. It’s truly the tale of the two quarterbacks and people are questioning whether or not we’ll see a battle between the prospective quarterbacks. Pre-season is going to be a test and it will all come down to head coach Dan Laning’s game-time decision when the Ducks kick off the 2024 season against the University of Hawai’i under Autzen’s lights. It’s exciting but scary, and Duck fans are ready to turn over a new page from the disappointing end of this past season and see if Oregon can reach its full potential with Gabriel or Moore at the helm.