What we learned about Oregon’s quarterback room from Lanning, Koa Ka’ai and Dante Moore
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “What we learned about Oregon’s quarterback room from Lanning, Koa Ka’ai and Dante Moore” inside PodZeus.
This episode of Autzen Audibles dives deep into Oregon's quarterback room ahead of the 2026 season, spotlighting key developments under head coach Dan Lanning and new quarterback coach Koa Ka'ai. The discussion centers on Dante Moore, who returns for his third season and is praised by Lanning for his advanced football IQ and readiness to lead, despite past struggles with pre-snap decision-making. Moore’s growth is attributed to his strong bond with Ka'ai, whose unconventional path—from defensive lineman to multi-position coach—has earned high marks for his strategic depth and player development skills. The episode also explores the rising potential of Akili Smith Jr., a physically gifted redshirt freshman with elite arm talent but still developing mentally, and Dylan Raiola, the transfer portal addition whose patience and work ethic are seen as critical to his success. The future of the room hinges on how well these young quarterbacks integrate, with Brock Thomas remaining a key backup. The podcast concludes with excitement for the upcoming spring game, where fans will finally see these storylines unfold on the field.
Dante Moore is showing significant growth in football IQ and pre-snap decision-making, earning high praise from Dan Lanning.
Koa Ka'ai’s unorthodox background as a multi-position coach makes him a uniquely valuable asset to Oregon’s quarterback development.
Akili Smith Jr. has elite physical tools and arm talent but still needs to refine his decision-making and mental processing.
Dylan Raiola is embracing a developmental role, learning from Moore and preparing for a future starting role in 2027.
The quarterback room is poised for a competitive battle, with multiple players ready to step up in 2026 and beyond.
The Rise of Dante Moore and the New Era of Oregon's QB Room
“This guy is as ready, as similar and up to speed as the previous two quarterbacks, Dylan Gabriel and Bo Nix, who basically were offensive coordinators on the field because of their experience.”
Koa Ka'ai: The Unconventional Coach with a Vision
“I actually kind of wanted to be somebody who coached a bunch of different positions. I looked at Wikipedia pages of successful coaches and went, man, how did they get to this position?”
Akili Smith Jr.: The Physical Phenom with a Mental Road Ahead
The focus shifts to Akili Smith Jr., the redshirt freshman with a 6'6" frame and elite arm talent. While praised for his physical gifts, the podcast notes he still needs to mature mentally and streamline his decision-making to reach his full potential.
Dylan Raiola: The Transfer with a Long-Term Plan
Dylan Raiola’s role as a patient, developing transfer is examined. His relationship with Moore, his work ethic, and his potential to become a top NFL draft pick are discussed, with emphasis on his ability to learn and adapt to Oregon’s system.
The Backup Battle: Brock Thomas and the Future of Depth
The episode analyzes the depth behind the starters, focusing on Brock Thomas as a likely emergency option. The balance between developing young talent and maintaining short-term stability is discussed, with an emphasis on not losing key players to transfer.
“This guy is as ready, as similar and up to speed as the previous two quarterbacks, Dylan Gabriel and Bo Nix, who basically were offensive coordinators on the field because of their experience.”
“I actually kind of wanted to be somebody who coached a bunch of different positions. I looked at Wikipedia pages of successful coaches and went, man, how did they get to this position?”
“He's got the best arm on the team. Holy cow. And then you hear Dante Moore talk about how he threw a 65-yard post that he'd never seen anybody be able to complete.”
Hosts
Guests
Oregon Ducks
organization
Dante Moore
person
Koa Ka'ai
person
Dan Lanning
person
Dylan Raiola
person
Akili Smith Jr.
person
Brock Thomas
person
Drew Merringer
person
Will Stein
person
Todd Graham
person
Autzen Audibles: What we learned about Oregon’s running backs, DL, and injury updates
Autzen Audibles: DuckTerritory's Oregon athletics podcast • 42m • 4/6/2026
Oregon’s first scrimmage offered plenty to unpack
Autzen Audibles: DuckTerritory's Oregon athletics podcast • 39m • 4/13/2026
Autzen Audibles Podcast: Oregon’s New Additions and the Next Moves to Watch
Autzen Audibles: DuckTerritory's Oregon athletics podcast • 52m • 4/15/2026
Autzen Audibles Podcast: Breaking down Oregon’s O-line, linebackers and scrimmage updates
Autzen Audibles: DuckTerritory's Oregon athletics podcast • 32m • 4/22/2026
Oregon Spring Game Preview: Biggest storylines, players to watch, and NFL Draft buzz
Autzen Audibles: DuckTerritory's Oregon athletics podcast • 1h 12m • 4/23/2026
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “What we learned about Oregon’s quarterback room from Lanning, Koa Ka’ai and Dante Moore” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime