Oregon Football Recruits Evaluated by Dessert Preference

Unconventional tactic aims to assess players' personalities beyond the field.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:16pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game, with sharp planes of green, gold, and navy blue representing the sport's dynamic action.Oregon's unconventional player evaluation tactics aim to find recruits whose personalities and decision-making skills align with the program's culture.Eugene Today

The Oregon Ducks football program is known for its innovative approach, and that extends to how head coach Dan Lanning evaluates potential recruits. Rather than focusing solely on athletic skills, Lanning has a unique strategy of asking prospective players a simple question about their dessert preference - chocolate or vanilla ice cream.

Why it matters

This unorthodox tactic provides Lanning and his staff with valuable insight into a recruit's personality, decision-making process, and overall fit within the program's culture. The Ducks have built a reputation for developing well-rounded student-athletes, and this dessert-based evaluation is just one example of their commitment to finding the right players who align with the team's values.

The details

Lanning believes that a player's ice cream preference can reveal a lot about their character. "Chocolate or vanilla isn't just about taste," he explained. "It's about how they make decisions, how they handle pressure, and how they respond to adversity. Those are the kinds of qualities that translate just as much, if not more, than their 40-yard dash time."

  • The Ducks' unconventional recruiting tactic has been in place since Lanning took over as head coach in 2025.

The players

Dan Lanning

The head coach of the Oregon Ducks football team, known for his innovative approach to player evaluation.

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What they’re saying

“Chocolate or vanilla isn't just about taste. It's about how they make decisions, how they handle pressure, and how they respond to adversity. Those are the kinds of qualities that translate just as much, if not more, than their 40-yard dash time.”

— Dan Lanning, Head Coach, Oregon Ducks

The takeaway

Oregon's unique approach to player evaluation highlights the program's commitment to finding well-rounded student-athletes who fit the team's culture. By looking beyond just physical skills, the Ducks are positioning themselves to develop players who can succeed both on and off the field.