Dante Moore is returning to Oregon this fall. The redshirt sophomore announced his decision Wednesday on ESPN’s SportsCenter. The move not only impacts the Ducks but has NFL draft implications as well.
Moore has been widely regarded as the presumed No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft. The New York Jets, which are in desperate need of a quarterback, hold the second selection. The Detroit native recently wrapped up his third season to become draft eligible.
The Ducks’ season ended Friday with a 56-22 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Moore guided Oregon to two playoff victories this season, and his return means the Ducks should be in strong position again this fall.
“Of course, the year didn’t end the way we wanted it to end,” Moore said Wednesday on ESPN. “Of course, you’ve gotta give your kudos and credit to Indiana. … When it comes to me just making my decision, of course I want to feel most prepared and do what’s best for my situation. Especially as a quarterback. “
The 20-year-old Detroit native has only played one full season of games at the collegiate level. Moore started all 15 games for the Ducks in 2025 but only made five starts prior to that in his career.
His career began at UCLA in 2023 when he made five starts and played in nine games as a freshman under then-head coach Chip Kelly. Moore played in five games in his first season with the Ducks in 2024 as he worked behind starter Dillon Gabriel.
He still will have an extra season of eligibility in 2027, however Moore indicated Wednesday that 2026 will be his last with the Ducks.
What Moore Means To Oregon
The Ducks are going through plenty of change this offseason after falling in the playoff. Dan Lanning’s team is losing both of its coordinators but has promoted from within. Moore will have continuity as co-offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer is expected to take over the offense with Will Stein’s move to Kentucky.
Moore passed for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns plus 10 interceptions over the course of the 2025 season. His return means the Ducks should be in position to compete for a national championship once again in 2026.
Oregon is returning several key players from its 13-2 squad and is already retooling its roster for next season. Moore will be a centerpiece on offense once again for the Ducks and several offensive weapons are also set to return.
Where it now becomes interesting is with the quarterback situation behind the third-year signal caller. Oregon landed a commitment from the Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola this week. Raiola, a sophomore, will now presumably sit behind Moore despite passing for 2,000 yards and 18 in 2025 with the Cornhuskers.
A broken fibula ended Raiola’s season early, but he will have time to recover behind Moore before taking over in 2027.
NFL Draft Implications
The decision by Moore to remain in college for another season shakes up the upcoming NFL draft. He had been projected by many evaluators as the No. 2 pick behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza earned the Heisman Trophy in December and has the Hoosiers one win away from a national championship. The 2026 crop of quarterbacks is being treated as a weak group.
Moore has made fewer than 25 starts in his career, which is often viewed as a negative for quarterbacks by NFL decision-makers. The extra season will allow him to push for the No. 1 spot in 2027.
The plan by Moore to remain at Oregon also now means the Jets now have a decision to make. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has Alabama’s Ty Simpson as his No. 2 quarterback on the board.
However, Simpson is not part of Kiper’s top 25 players. It could leave the Jets in a precarious position depending on their evaluation of Simpson.
Wednesday was the last day for underclassmen not playing in the national championship to decide on entering the draft.
