Oregon quarterback Dante Moore recently announced that he will skip the 2026 NFL draft and return to the university for the upcoming season. Moore was expected to be a top pick in the 2026 draft. His return makes him a strong prospect in the highly talented 2027 quarterback class.
“With this decision, mainly all my life has just been about being as most prepared as I can for any situation I go into,” Moore told “SportsCenter.” “And when it comes to me making my decision, I just want to do what’s best for my situation, especially as a quarterback.
“With my decision, it’s been very tough. I’ve prayed a lot about it, talked to many people—my mentors and people I look up to. With that being said, of course I’ll be coming back to Oregon for one more year, being able to play for the Oregon Ducks and reach our goal and be national champions.”
Moore’s choice to remain with Oregon is a major asset for the Ducks’ aspirations for the 2026 national championship, especially since the NFL draft declaration deadline has passed for all eligible underclassmen except those competing in the College Football Playoff championship game.
“This year, I’ve had many great throws, many great plays, but at the end of the day I feel I can still learn so much more,” Moore told ESPN. “As a kid, since I was 4 years old, I’ve dreamed about being in the NFL, but this team, we’ve been through a lot, a lot of people are returning, so we’ve got some exciting things to come this year. I’m excited to keep pushing my team.”
Oregon is a top contender, thanks to commitments from key defensive linemen and the return of young wide receivers and tailbacks.
The decision to remain in college follows the announcement that former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola will transfer to Oregon. Meanwhile, several Oregon players, including tight end Kenyon Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman, have declared for the NFL draft.
By choosing to return to Oregon, the 20-year-old quarterback Moore passed up an estimated $50 million in guaranteed money from the NFL. This figure is based on last year’s draft, where the No. 2 pick, Travis Hunter, received $46.65 million fully guaranteed, and that amount is expected to increase for the upcoming draft.
In his first season as a full-time starter, Moore guided Oregon to the CFP semifinals. Having only started 20 college games, he falls short of the 25-start threshold that NFL executives typically consider the minimum experience for a potential starting quarterback.
During his 2025 season with the Ducks, Moore achieved 3,565 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. His completion rate stood at 71.8%, though he also threw 10 interceptions.
Moore recently completed his third season of college football, according to Sports Illustrated. He began his college career by starting five games as a true freshman at UCLA. After transferring to the Ducks, he spent the 2024 season as the backup to Dillon Gabriel.
