CHANDLER – The Oregon Ducks have established a track record of developing productive quarterbacks in recent years. From Bo Nix to Dante Moore, Eugene has become a stage for talented signal-callers to showcase their abilities for one of the nation’s top programs.
Will Mencl, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound Chandler High senior who has committed to play for Oregon in 2027, is hoping to continue the Ducks’ impressive lineage behind center. With his accuracy and rushing ability, Mencl has turned Friday night Wolves’ games into must-see drama.
“Really watch Will on a Friday or even throughout practice. You’ll see him direct traffic and get guys lined up and in the right spot,” Chandler quarterbacks coach Austin Bell said. “He really just controls the show.”
After his first two seasons at Scottsdale Saguaro, where he battled a variety of injuries, Mencl transferred to Chandler and had an impressive junior campaign, putting up 3,815 yards with 33 passing touchdowns against only five interceptions, while adding another 741 yards and 17 scores with his legs. The performance vaulted him up the recruitment boards, where he currently sits as the country’s No. 7 quarterback prospect, and Arizona’s highest-rated recruit in the class of 2027.
While comparing high school and college statistics is precarious, Mencl’s passing numbers with Chandler last year mirror a few of the seasons put up in recent years by Oregon quarterbacks. Listed side-by-side, there are some similarities in the numbers:
The Means of three Oregon Duck quarterback seasons (Nix 2022 and 2023, Moore 2025):
- 3,889 passing yards
- 34 touchdowns
- 5.3 interceptions
- 73.7% completion
- 9.03 yards per attempt
- 12.2 yards per completion
- 8% touchdown rate
- 278.7 yards per game
Mencl’s junior season at Chandler:
- 3,815 yards
- 33 TDs
- 5 Ints
- 70% completion
- 10.4 YPA
- 14.8 YPC
- 9% TD Rate
- 293.5 YPG
Along with similarities in the numbers, Mencl also sees a parallel in Chandler’s offense and Oregon’s, noting the teams’ abilities to play up-tempo and spread the ball out to the perimeter.
“Going through the recruiting process and taking my visits in a bunch of meetings, I felt like Oregon had a very similar offense to what was run at Chandler and even more, kind of expanding more of a pro-style offense as well,” Mencl said.
Mencl noted even more resemblances between the two systems, starting with how they play fast when noticing weaknesses within the defense to keep opponents from making adjustments that counter what the offense is running.
After going 1-1 to open the season, the No. 15 Ducks rebounded by blowing out Portland State, 84-0, and then beating No. 18 USC, 41-27, handing the Trojans their first loss in a highly-charged game.
“I think it’s very up-tempo,” Mencl said of the Ducks’ high-octane attack. “Watching these past three games with Oregon I feel like anytime there’s a first down, they’re trying to get on the ball, get to the next play as fast as they could and keep the defense in their base formation. I feel like we do a lot of that here.”
Mencl’s ability to make plays on the run and keep defenses guessing adds a dimension to his skill set that has helped Chandler to a 4-1 start. However, fans won’t be able to see his scheduled game Friday at Laveen Cactus Canyon, which canceled the meeting.
When he does take the field again, it will be clear his versatility comes in handy for his future at a position that has increasingly leaned towards having options if the passing game is struggling.
Bell said the Wolves’ system works well around Mencl’s strengths as both a passer and a runner. Being able to go through his progressions within the scheme allows Mencl to find his comfort zone and utilize his strengths.
“I think progression wise, and understanding the footwork he goes through is what he’s the most comfortable with,” Bell said. “That’s why I think this offense transitioning from his sophomore into his junior year last year is just so comfortable for him. We give him the ability to play off schedule a lot, so that’s really the big thing there.”
The quarterback position is equal parts mental and physical. The quarterback has to keep in mind many minor details throughout the game and have the offense working in unison. Preparation throughout the week leading up to a game is a crucial component of playing the position at a high level.
Bell said Mencl’s development has blossomed in that area, reaching a point where he knows what play is going to be called due to his preparation during the week. Learning those intricacies has accelerated Mencl’s development as a player.
“We expect Will to have all 10 guys around him in the right spot, sometimes checking based off of the defense,” Bell said. “So mentally, he has to put in a lot of work throughout the week to understand what we are checking into against certain defenses, and why we are getting a certain guy here.”
Mencl’s progression is apparent in his focus on staying within the pocket and using his arm more to move the football. Taking what the defense gives him helps limit the amount of potential mistakes on the field.
The numbers reflect Mencl’s mentality as he has run for 26.8 yards per game on the ground this year, compared to 57 yards per game last year, while also cutting his carries per game from nine rush attempts per game to 5.8 attempts a game through the first five games of the season.
“The main goal is pocket presence,” Mencl said. “Not relying on my legs too much, so just being able to stay in there, throw with pressure in my face. As the season goes on, being able to take more checkdowns, not trying to force the ball downfield too much and be too greedy.”
If Mencl continues to develop as a player while refining the mental preparation and tools at the position, his transition from high school to the college level could be smoother, putting him in a position to become the next successful quarterback of the Oregon Ducks.
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