Despite returning to Oregon, Dante Moore faces surprising rankings challenges. Arch Manning claims the top spot, sparking debate over college football's elite quarterbacks.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was expected to be a first-round pick if he entered the 2026 NFL Draft.
The only quarterback rated above Moore was Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana, expected to be the No. 1 player taken in April's draft.
After a brutal 56-22 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinal, Moore decided to return for one more season with the Ducks. He wants to refine his skillset before playing in the league.
Since Moore was thought to be the No. 2 quarterback in this year's class, wouldn't he be the best quarterback in college football next year?
Maybe not.
Ari Wasserman of On3 ranked Moore as the No. 2 quarterback for 2026. He thinks Moore has a chance to become a complete player for next year's draft if he elevates his game.
However, Wasserman ranked Texas quarterback Arch Manning at No. 1, arguing that an improved offensive roster will allow the young star to live up the hype surrounding him in his second year as a starter.
In January, former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer argued on his podcast that Moore will be a better quarterback than Manning next season.
Meyer predicted Moore to win the Heisman Trophy for the upcoming season.
“Yeah, I'm gonna go with Dante Moore," Meyer said on the "The Triple Option" podcast. "He came back... I love the kid. I love his staff. I think Oregon's gonna be right there at the end again. But I'm just looking at these odds.
"I wonder why Arch Manning, CJ Carr, and (TCU quarterback) Josh Hoover have better odds when statistically Dante had a better year. It's interesting how Vegas does that... I'm gonna go with Dante Moore.”
Moore finished 2025 with 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season. He'll need to limit the interceptions and work on getting better handling the pass rush if he wants to better his game for the NFL.
Oregon's offense could look different for Moore this season. Offensive coordinator Will Stein left the Ducks to become the head coach of Kentucky.
Drew Mehringer is Oregon's new offensive play caller.