Betting on Himself: Will Stein’s Rise from Walk-On to Elite Play Caller

Imagine growing up dreaming of playing quarterback in college football, betting on yourself, and then turning that dream into reality. Fast forward a decade, and you're calling plays for one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, wearing the colors of one of the most iconic brands in all of sports and coaching two of the most experienced quarterbacks in the history of college football. That’s the 30,000-foot view of Will Stein’s football journey.

Today on the Y-Option podcast, presented by our founding partner 76, Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Will Stein joins us to share the insights and lessons learned throughout his remarkable path in the game, as well as a breakdown on the 2025 Oregon Ducks offense.

As someone who also walked-on in college football, I’ve always been drawn to others who’ve taken that same leap. Will’s story of walking-on at Louisville has become legend in Kentucky. His father was a walk-on too, and that grit and relentless work ethic clearly runs in the family. Those traits earned Will a starting role at quarterback for the Cardinals and led to him becoming a 2023 Broyles Award finalist as the Ducks' OC.

What’s stood out most to me in getting to know Will, is his deep commitment to family, his passion for the craft, and the discipline that keeps him fully present each day. This episode will resonate with every athlete chasing a dream and every coach grinding before sunrise. His wisdom inspires belief, and his football IQ is a masterclass in growth mindset and high-performance leadership.

Draft Day + QB Thoughts

Speaking of success—the NFL Draft kicks off tonight, and we’ve got you covered at Y-Option. I’ve been calling it the “Elite Backup QB Draft,” and I think that label will prove true by Friday and Saturday.

One prediction: Tyler Warren is my pick for the most consistent playmaker and the closest thing to a sure thing. And when Cam Ward hears his name called as the #1 overall pick, let’s give him a standing ovation. Just six years ago, his father, Calvin, was cold-calling Division III schools looking for an opportunity for his son. Talk about inspiration. How Great Is Ball indeed!

Portal Mayhem & College Football Talk

What’s going on in college football? The portal has opened, chaos has ensued, and it feels like jerseys are being retired far too soon. In today’s opening segment, Jim Thornby and I bring thoughtful takes to three major storylines lighting up the airwaves:

* Nico Iamaleava and what might be college football’s first-ever trade. We dive into why it’s a win for UCLA and what it means for DeShaun Foster’s roster.

* Cal Bears, Ron Rivera, and the Portal – Somehow Berkeley is both chaotic and calm. And both can be true.

* Retiring Jerseys in Boulder – There’s been plenty of debate around Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. While both are incredible talents, the timing of retiring their jerseys might actually do them a disservice. We explain on today’s podcast.

I’m headed to Eugene for the Ducks spring game, live on Big Ten Network, alongside Y-Option alums Guy Haberman and Kenjon Barner. Dan Lanning’s squad has lost plenty of talent to the NFL, but this roster still boasts future stars. Tune in at 1 PM PST as we break it all down.

As always—much love, and stay steady.

— Yogi

This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production

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