Projected as the 2027 draft's premier prospect, the Oregon Ducks' star signal-caller bypasses early professional riches to chase a Heisman Trophy and refine his game under immense pressure.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore would have been a first-round pick had he decided to join the 2026 NFL Draft.
Instead, Moore made the cautious decision to return to Eugene for another season in college after suffering a 56-22 beatdown by Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl.
Against Texas Tech and Indiana in the CFP, Moore struggled to make good decisions when his offensive line allowed pressure. The young quarterback needs to learn to get the ball out of his hands quickly and avoid making catastrophic turnovers.
The Ducks are replacing three starters on the offensive line for 2026, so it's unclear how much pressure Moore will face in the upcoming season. However, he has talented playmakers in the backfield and at receiver, which could boost his campaign for the Heisman Trophy.
In addition to the college football season, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted how the NFL is projecting Moore for the 2027 draft. He's viewed by many in the league as the top prospect for the draft.
"I did ask around on Oregon’s Dante Moore," Breer wrote. "It seems pretty clear as it stands now among teams that he’s the top guy going into the 2026 college season.
"He actually may not have the ceiling Manning does, but at this point, he’s much more consistent as a passer. We’ll see if he holds the lead through next April."
After Oregon's spring game in April, Moore suggested that he's dealing with high expectations for this season by trying to insert fun into the game.
“I kind of feel like as athletes, we get so much into our minds and mental that at the end of the day, I kind of just told everybody the other day – picture yourself when you’re a kid playing in the backyard you’re just having fun," Moore said, via SI.
"You’re running around, you’re having the joy."
Moore made a gamble this offseason. He likely would have been the second quarterback off the board in this year's draft.
In 2026, he could parlay his return into becoming the No. 1 pick. If he doesn't progress, he might fall, like several college quarterbacks did in 2025, like Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier.