It’s been a rollercoaster of an offseason in college athletics. Even though the season sits a week away, court rulings surround much of the talk.
Most recently, a Louisiana court allowed athletes who were once on NFL contracts to return to college. With NFL camp in full swing and players starting to get cut, athletes are turning to the courts to play another year of college football.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning strongly disagrees with the decision.
Dan Lanning Sends Strong Message
GettyMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks celebrates their 23-0 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Lanning pledged his strong feelings on the matter after the team’s second fall scrimmage, Ducks Wire’s Logan Brown reports.
“I think there’s a lot of negatives that are involved around this,” Lanning said in a press conference. “One, once you go to the NFL, to me, you’re in the NFL. You don’t get the opportunity to come back. Two, most of us have built rosters, and you have a roster limit now. So if you invited somebody back to your team, that means you’re kicking somebody else off your team to match your roster limits. I don’t think that’s fair to the players that worked all summer, all spring.”
“It’s unfair to the sport, and I think it’s unfair to the players that are on current teams for those guys to be coming back,” Lanning said.
“It’s unfair to the sport and I think it’s unfair to the players that are on current teams for those guys to be coming back.”
Credit @MattPrehm for the question.
Lanning won’t dip into these incoming players, Brown reports.
Oregon Eyes Something Bigger
The Ducks enter the 2026 season ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, and have title aspirations once again. They certainly aren’t a team dying for more talent — they have all they need.
Dante Moore returns as the Ducks’ starting quarterback and remains one of the best at his position, with Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola waiting for next season or in the wings in case of an injury.
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 09: Dante Moore #5 of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Oregon looks to continue its dominance in the regular season, while strengthening its repertoire in the College Football Playoffs. In 2024 and 2025 seasons, the Ducks were dominated by fellow conference members in the playoff quarterfinal and semifinal, respectively.
However, with one of the best quarterbacks in the country and immense talent around him, it’s easy to point to them as a trendy title winner pick.
Oregon’s Dan Lanning Sends Strong Message on NFL Players Returning to College Football