Oregon Football Signee Spotlight: QB Austin Novosad

The Ducks added one of the nation's best quarterbacks late in the 2023 cycle.

In today’s spotlight we're taking a closer look at a future leader of the Duck offense. Oregon was able to secure a late pledge from quarterback Austin Novosad during the early signing period.

Vitals

-Height/weight: 6’3"/185 pounds

-Hometown/High School: Dripping Springs, TX/Dripping Springs High School

-Distinction: Adidas All-American

READ MORE: 2024 WR Jordan Anderson talks Oregon commitment, visit plans

Evaluation

Listed at 6-foot-3 Texas native was one the best pocket passers in the nation. He finished his senior season going 200/310 (64.5%) while racking up 2,911 yards, 39 touchdowns and only five interceptions in 14 games. He was also able to add two touchdowns on the ground.

Oregon is getting a real slinger at the quarterback position. He's very confident in the pocket and is almost never distracted when it seems like it is collapsing.

When he does step up in the pocket to get the ball to the receivers, it's right on the money more often than not, with his accuracy being a key calling card in his game. Not to mention his zip on the ball made it hard for defenders to even make a play.

When watching his film, he does a great job at reading his progressions throughout the play if his first option isn't open. As long as he get the ball to the receivers, he makes their job a lot easier.

There were plenty of times where a defensive player was coming full speed at Novosad, but he shows a lot of confidence committing to throw even if it means he'll take a hit. His high school ran what looked to be a spread type of offense which, helped develop into the No. 10 quarterback in the nation according to 247Sports.

The recruitment, how it happened

Novosad began receiving offers during the summer of 2021 when Baylor first pulled the trigger. He then picked up a few lower profile Division 1 offers with schools like Rice, UTSA and Texas State.

After adding those offers to his list he began getting some bigger schools in the state like SMU, Houston and Texas Tech. Colorado would be his Pac-12 offer at the end of July 2021. After gathering a few more offers and taking some unofficial visits, Novosad committed to the Baylor Bears on December 16, 2021.

As a Baylor commit, he went on to reel in more big-name offers such as Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Stanford. Novosad was approaching singing day still committed to the Bears, but the Ducks got involved shortly after hiring Will Stein, who had developed a prior relationship with the passer when he was at UTSA.

The Ducks went through a ton of emotion during early signing period. The biggest was their top commit Dante Moore flipped to the UCLA Bruins. In a big turn of events the Ducks, ended up securing their guy with Novosad flipping his commitment and signing with the Ducks shortly after taking a visit out to Eugene.

READ MORE: What Traeshon Holden's dismissal means for Oregon in 2023

Outlook at Oregon

The Ducks gained a huge playmaker at the most position on the field. Being ranked as a top-10 quarterback in the nation will pan out well for the young passer out of Texas.

Oregon will have both Bo Nix and Ty Thompson going into the spring and potentially both in the fall. Novosad is already enrolled and on campus in Eugene, and as such he'll get his opportunity to showcase his talents early in just a few weeks.

Jay Butterfield transferring to San Jose State opened up that third rotational spot. The Ducks also have preferred walk-ons Jake Van Dyne and Marcus Sanders in their quarterback room.

It goes without saying that Nix has the starting job locked up. This spring season will be a great test for Thompson, who enters his third season with the Ducks and will compete with another talented quarterback joining their squad.

Depending on how his spring goes, Novosad may use a redshirt this season if Thompson does win the number two spot again for the fall. The good thing is that he has plenty of smart and talented players around him to help him adjust to the college game and take the next step in his development.

Rankings rundown

247Sports Composite rating: 4-star (0.9435)

247Sports Composite ranking: No. 131 Natl., No. 10 QB, No.25 in TX

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Rivals rating: 4-star (5.9)

Rivals ranking: No. 99 Natl., No. 7 QB, No. 20 in TX

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On3 consensus rating: 4-star (93.80)

On3 consensus ranking: No. 113 Natl., No. 10 QB, No. 21 in TX

SIGNEE SPOTLIGHT: Oregon Safety Kodi DeCambra

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