The Michigan Wolverines have had a head-to-head rivalry with the Oregon Ducks since 1948. Beyond the gridiron, too, Dan Lanning, being one of the best recruiters, gave the Wolverines a hard time. But who would have thought that Lanning's staffer would use ice cream as a weapon to judge the recruits?

Oregon’s quarterback coach, Koa Ka’ai, uses ice cream flavors to aid in recruiting quarterbacks for the Ducks. It is a very simple question thrown at recruits. Ka’ai asks recruits if they like vanilla or chocolate ice cream. That's it, he has his answer ready.

“I ask (recruits) a question all the time. ‘Hey, do you like chocolate ice cream or vanilla ice cream?’” Ka’ai said. “The minute a kid pauses, I don’t really want that kid, right? Because you need to have some type of conviction, right, wrong, or indifferent.” 

That's how simple Michigan rival's strategy is. It’s not about being right or wrong, it’s about thinking fast. Ka’ai challenges Oregon quarterbacks to stay sharp and respond in the moment.

"So whether you like chocolate or you like vanilla, I don’t really care. But if you sit there and say, ‘Ah, Coach, I don’t know… is it melted? Is it not? What’s the brand, so on and so forth,” the coach added.

The strategy might look simple to many, but it tells a lot about the recruits' psyche. After all, at the end, if they are not going to make quick decisions, how are they going to manage things in demanding situations? For instance, during a third down in front of  110,000.

It's easier for Ka’ai, since he played for the Ducks from 2012 to 2015. He later gained experience in multiple areas of the field, as a tight end, defensive lineman, and special teams player. Ka’ai has been an assistant position coach since 2022 and was promoted to quarterbacks coach for the upcoming season. 

Will the strategy be in favor of Michigan?

The recruiting tussle between the Michigan Wolverines and the Oregon Ducks

According to On3's 2027 recruiting rankings, Oregon enjoys a better position at No.8 with seven recruits committed. Unfortunately, the Wolverines have slipped to No. 24. They are facing more threats from Oregon.

Four-star wide receiver recruit Dakota Guerrant is a Michigan native but is heavily sought after by Lanning and the Ducks. 

The Harper Woods star has locked in a June 5th visit with Oregon. According to On3's crystal ball, the Ducks have a higher chance, 89.3%, to land the recruit. For the Wolverines, the chances sit at only 4.8%.

However, Kyle Whittingham and his coaching staff will not give up on the talented wide receiver, given that he's from in-state. Guerrant has been in Michigan. He even posted a picture of himself with Kyle Whitiingham on X. 

In case Michigan misses out on the wide receiver, it is going to be a huge loss. Guerrant picked up All-American honors after lining up at wide receiver, cornerback, quarterback, kick returner, and punt returner. 

He holds a stat line of 1,074 yards and 26 touchdowns on offense. On the flip side of the football, he totaled 40 tackles and three interceptions.

But in case Oregon uses the same ice cream strategy on him, and he fails to come up with a concrete answer, Michigan might get a chance.

What do you think of the Ducks' unique recruiting technique? Share your thoughts.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar