Oregon Football Recruits Evaluated by Dessert Preference

Ducks' unconventional tactic aims to find players whose personalities align with program's culture

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:16pm by Ben Kaplan

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the silhouette of a football player broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in earthy tones, conceptually representing the unconventional player evaluation tactics used by the Oregon Ducks.An innovative approach to player evaluation puts the Oregon Ducks football program at the forefront of finding recruits whose personalities and decision-making skills align with the team's culture.Eugene Today

The Oregon Ducks football program is using an unconventional player evaluation strategy - asking prospective recruits about their dessert preference between chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Head coach Dan Lanning believes this simple question can reveal valuable insights into a player's character, decision-making skills, and overall fit within the program's culture.

Why it matters

This unique tactic provides Lanning and his staff with a novel way to assess recruits beyond just athletic skills, aligning with the Ducks' reputation for developing well-rounded student-athletes. The dessert-based evaluation is an example of Oregon's commitment to finding the right players who share the team's values.

The details

Lanning believes a player's ice cream preference can reveal a lot about their character, including how they make decisions, handle pressure, and respond to adversity - qualities he sees as just as important as physical abilities. This unconventional recruiting strategy has been in place since Lanning took over as head coach in 2025.

  • The Oregon Ducks' dessert-based player evaluation tactic has been in place since 2025 when Dan Lanning became the team's head coach.

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 unconventional player evaluation tactics demonstrate the program's commitment to finding recruits whose personalities and decision-making skills align with the team's culture, not just their athletic abilities. This innovative approach sets the Ducks apart in their pursuit of well-rounded student-athletes.