Urban Meyer thinks Oregon quarterback Dante Moore will have a better season than Texas quarterback Arch Manning in 2026.
Star quarterback Dante Moore returned to Oregon next season with two ambitions.
Moore wants to lead the Ducks to their first-ever national championship in 2026. He also wants to improve his quarterback skills before entering the 2027 NFL Draft.
Moore was badly outplayed by Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in both contests between the Ducks and Hoosiers last season.
Before the playoff, the Ducks signal caller was expected to be a first-round pick if he entered April's draft.
But the 56-22 loss in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl to the Hoosiers and Mendoza, the expected No. 1 pick and Heisman Trophy-winner, exposed flaws in the Oregon quarterback's game.
Oregon needs Moore to improve his handling of pressure when defenses bring the blitz. He needs to learn to get the ball out of his hands and avoid taking unnecessary sacks, something that plagued the Ducks in the loss to IU.
Former Ohio State head coach predicted Moore to win the Heisman Trophy next season. He doesn't understand why Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr have better odds than Moore.
“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.”
Meyer does think the best player will be Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, but noted it's hard for that position to win the Heisman Trophy.
Meyer praised Moore for how he handled his career at Oregon.
“Just statistically had a hell of a year, but even more importantly, I really respect this kid," Meyer said. "He bought his time behind learning the trade from Dillon Gabriel. He didn't transfer.
"He stuck around and he stuck around to come back to get more experience.”
Moore finished 2025 with 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. If he's good enough to win the Heisman Trophy, Moore could be the No. 1 pick in 2027.