Despite draft hype, Dante Moore returns to Oregon for growth. A surprising ESPN ranking ignites debate over his readiness and future NFL prospects.
Dante Moore had a chance to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but opted to return to Oregon to enhance his skills before joining the league.
2025 was Moore's first season as a starter. Most people in the NFL would suggest a quarterback have at least two years of experience before entering the draft.
Following Oregon's 56-22 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl, Moore made a prudent decision to return to Eugene. The young quarterback needs to work on limiting turnovers and dealing with pressure.
One would think Moore would enter the upcoming season as the best or second-best quarterback in college football, given that he would have been the second quarterback taken in this year's draft.
However, Bill Connelly ranked Moore as the No. 6 quarterback in the Power 4 this offseason.
"When you're receiving top-five draft hype, it's hard to say no to the NFL whether you're actually ready or not," Connelly wrote. "That Moore knew he wasn't ready and returned for one more year was pretty impressive. To be sure, Moore is almost ready.
"He finished 2025 ranked fifth in completion rate, sixth in touchdown passes (30) and 10th in catchable ball rate (83.3%), and for the second straight season Oregon lost only to the team that eventually won the national title."
Connelly noted that Moore struggled against better defenses like Texas Tech, Iowa and Indiana. The quarterback will need to work on getting the ball out faster against better pass-rushing teams.
Moore should be much better in the upcoming season because he went through growing pains in 2025. Connelly thinks experience works in his favor.
"So will pure experience. He was a first-year starter, after all," Connelly wrote of Moore. "His return gives Oregon a better shot at breaking down its one remaining barrier and winning a national title."
The national championship opportunity is how Moore will be judged. If he leads the Ducks to a national title like Fernando Mendoza did with Indiana last season, the Ducks signal-caller could be the top quarterback taken in the 2027 NFL Draft.