Plenty of talented quarterbacks have come through Oregon in the last few decades, including NFL first-round picks like Justin Herbert, Bo Nix, and the legendary Heisman winner Marcus Mariota.
“Now he’s at the point where he’s making plays on the field similar to what Bo did and what Dillon [Gabriel] did towards the end,” offensive coordinator Will Stein said of his current quarterback, Dante Moore. “He can anticipate the play calls, I feel like we’re really in sync.”
Moore is going to be the next on that list and has been making a case to be the most talented quarterback that Duck fans have seen since Mariota’s 2014 season.
The flashes are there, a dual threat with a true cannon for a right arm. If you watched only the highlights, you would be left with the impression that this is already an NFL-level quarterback.
However, the thing about Moore is that he looks like a pro on almost every other play, too. With few things left to perfect, he very well may be the best available option at quarterback in whichever draft he chooses to enter.
Much is up for debate around the redshirt sophomore’s decision to return to college or enter the 2026 NFL draft, where he is regularly projected to be selected in the top 10. With no official decision announced, many speculate he will return to Oregon for a fourth collegiate season, but until then, his name will be the talk of many draft boards.
The raw arm talent that Dante Moore puts on display is as high-end as a coach could reasonably ask for. He makes the deep throws look effortless and maintains pinpoint accuracy while doing so.
In the first round of the College Football Playoff against the James Madison Dukes, Moore completed his first eight pass attempts and finished the fourth offensive drive at 10-of-11 for 199 yards and four total touchdowns.
To that point, the lone incompletion was after freshman wide receiver Cooper Perry fell down on a route, coming up short on 1st & 10.
The redshirt sophomore gunslinger racked up seven different completions for gains of 15 yards or more. Of those seven plays, four went for over 40 yards, and two of those were touchdown passes to Malik Benson.
“The receivers here and tight ends are special,” Moore said. “They make great plays when the ball is in the air. I’m going to give them a chance.”
Moore’s synergy with Benson has been growing all season; now they’re reaping the rewards with three touchdown connections in the last three weeks.
Benson may be a favorite target, but Moore spread the ball around to the open man, completing 19 passes to eight different receivers.
His poise has been praised throughout the season, staying calm and composed in the pocket behind a Joe Moore Award-nominated offensive line. Succeeding in environments like the white-out at Penn State set him up for just three hurried attempts and no sacks in his first career playoff start.
As Oregon tried to march down the field for the final time of the first half, Moore’s seventh pick of the season struck at a poor time.
His first interception came on a short pass to the left boundary, targeting Benson in a tight window. Benson slipped and fell as the ball hit his shoulder, bouncing up and into the arms of JMU defensive back Elijah Culp.
While the stat sheets will always read interceptions negatively, Moore made the right read. He may have been a second late and a bit too ambitious, but that is a mistake that Oregon should still be happy with.
Every play is a learning moment, and interceptions are part of playing quarterback. That mistake is happily made in the midst of a 51-34 blowout, rather than made against Texas Tech’s nation-leading defense.
While any college athlete has room to grow, Moore has plenty of growth left before touching the numbers and impact left by Mariota.
Marcus Mariota threw 42 touchdowns to just four interceptions in 15 games en route to the 2014 Heisman trophy.
Moore, a former five-star recruit and transfer from UCLA, is far from the most polished quarterback to come through Eugene. His eight interceptions so far this season are the most by a (potential) pro Duck since Justin Herbert’s eight interceptions his junior season.
We’ve seen Moore succeed in high-pressure environments before, and now once again in Oregon’s playoff win. He’s proven he can win the big game, and with plenty of big games left on his schedule, he will continue showing his raw ability paired with poised leadership.
“I feel like I’ve grown the most in understanding how to adapt to every teammate on my team,” Moore said postgame. “This team has grown so much, and it just comes from the way we’re so connected.”
If a scout isn’t sold on Moore’s on-field ability, then they’ll be sold on his leadership. The way his teammates and coaches speak about him, it is clear he has worked to lead the Oregon locker room.
There are still lots of games to be played and conversations to be had before the 2026 NFL draft in April, but Dante Moore has ingrained his name into the top quarterback conversation.
A return to Oregon next season should automatically push him to be a Heisman favorite after falling short of a nomination this year, but declaring for the draft after this season should push him into the discussion for the first overall pick.
The tools are obvious, and his arm pops out on tape. Simply put, Moore has the highest ceiling of any possible quarterback draftee in the 2026 class.
As a decision looms, Moore and the Oregon Ducks will continue their playoff journey in the quarterfinal matchup against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, on New Year’s Day.