Dante Moore: The Comeback
He turned down the NFL to finish what he started.
Dante Moore could have been the #2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He could have taken the $50 million. Instead, he came back to Oregon to win a championship. That decision defines everything about what this program has become under Dan Lanning.
3,565
Passing Yards (2025)
30
Touchdowns
10
Interceptions
15
Games Started
Started all 15 games. Led Oregon to Big Ten Championship and CFP semifinal.
The Decision to Return
Per Lookout Eugene-Springfield, Moore 'will be a preseason Heisman favorite' for 2026. He chose to forgo an estimated $50M guaranteed and the projected #2 overall pick to return for his junior season. In the modern era of NIL and early entry, this is extraordinary. Moore is betting on himself, on his teammates, and on the idea that winning a championship at Oregon is worth more than the money.
The Heisman Case
Moore's 2025 numbers (3,565 yards, 30 TDs, 10 INTs) were elite but not dominant enough to win the Heisman. Fernando Mendoza of Indiana won it. Moore's case for 2026: he has a full offseason as the established starter, the entire defensive line returned, and Oregon's schedule includes marquee games at USC, at Ohio State, Michigan at home, and Washington to close. The stage is set for a Heisman campaign.
What to Watch in 2026
1
Interception rate. 10 INTs in 2025 is too many for a Heisman winner. Cut that to 6 or fewer and the efficiency numbers become elite.
2
Big-game performance. Moore was 17-of-28 for 184 yards in the Peach Bowl loss. The CFP stage is where Heisman campaigns are made.
3
Chemistry with new OC Drew Mehringer. New coordinator, same system, but the play-calling dynamics will be different.
4
Early season confidence. The first three games (Boise State, @ Oklahoma State, Portland State) need to be dominant. Set the tone before Big Ten play.
Key Games
2025
Oregon 26, Indiana 14
Regular season rematch. Moore threw for 289 yards and 2 TDs. The defense held Mendoza to 198 yards. This win avenged the only regular season loss and clinched the Big Ten title game.
2025
Indiana 56, Oregon 22
Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal). Moore went 17-of-28 for 184 yards. Three first-half turnovers including a pick-six on the opening play. The worst loss of the Lanning era.
2025
Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0
Orange Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal). Moore managed the game while the defense pitched a shutout. First shutout in CFP history.
Career Highlights
Stat
2025 Breakout: 3,565 Yards, 30 TDs
Started all 15 games. 296-of-412 passing (71.8%, 4th nationally). 163.72 passer rating. Led Oregon to a second straight CFP appearance.
Record
Oregon Single-Game Completion % Record
Went 27-of-30 (90.0%) against Minnesota in November 2025, setting the Oregon single-game record for completion percentage.
Game
Orange Bowl MVP: Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0
26-of-33 for 234 yards in the first shutout in CFP history. Named Capital One Orange Bowl Offensive MVP.
Game
Playoff Debut: 4 TDs vs James Madison
Matched career high with 4 TD passes and career-high 313 passing yards in the opening-round CFP win.
Fact
From UCLA to Oregon and Back
Originally committed to Oregon, flipped to UCLA, started 9 games (53.5%, 9 INTs), was benched, then transferred to Oregon where he originally belonged. The long way home.
Fact
Turned Down ~$50M to Return
Projected as the #2 pick behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. Last year's #2 pick Travis Hunter signed for $46.65M fully guaranteed. Moore chose Oregon over the money.
The Person
From Detroit, Michigan. Attended Martin Luther King Jr. High School. Consensus five-star recruit, #3 QB and #4 overall in the 2023 class per 247Sports. Originally committed to Oregon, then flipped to UCLA in December 2022. At UCLA: 53.5% completion, 1,610 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs in 9 starts before being benched. Transferred back to Oregon in December 2023. Spent 2024 as Gabriel's backup: 7-of-8 passing for 49 yards across 4 brief appearances. Patient year that paid off.
Sources: 247Sports, Lookout Eugene-Springfield, GoDucks.com, Sports Reference
Can Moore win the Heisman in 2026?
you hear it building...
end of the third quarter...
54,000 on their feet
AUTZEN IS SHAKING
SCO DUCKS
Built by fans who were there.
Weekly Oregon football analysis. Launching 2026 season. Sco Ducks.