Dante Moore’s Return Has Oregon Primed for a National Championship Run in 2026
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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore announced on Wednesday his return for the 2026 college football season instead of opting for the NFL Draft and a likely top-five selection.
With Moore back in Eugene, the ‘26 goal and expectation for the Ducks is clear: Win a national championship.
After starting his collegiate career at UCLA, Moore transferred to Oregon in ‘24 and sat behind Dillon Gabriel. That year of learning behind Gabriel proved to be valuable for the Michigan native.
In his first season at the controls of the Ducks’ high-powered attack, Moore threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also ranked third in the Big Ten in completion rate (71.8) and completions of 40-plus yards (13).
With just 20 starts under his belt, Moore is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. Another offseason to learn under Lanning and new play-caller Drew Mehringer should only help the redshirt junior-to-be elevate his play to another level next fall.
Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola committed to Oregon on Jan. 12 and will work as the backup to Moore this fall. Not only does Raiola’s arrival give the Ducks a solid No. 2 option in case Moore has to miss any snaps, but the former Cornhuskers’ signal-caller can learn and prepare to take over the offense in ’27.
Moore’s return is just a small part of why the Ducks could be No. 1 in ‘26. The receiving corps is loaded with rising star Dakorien Moore (34 catches in ‘25), along with Jeremiah McClellan (38) and tight end Jamari Johnson (15.9 yards per catch). This unit is also expected to have Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart after he missed the bulk of ‘25 due to injury.
A ground game that averaged nearly 200 yards a game (198.6) brings back Jordon Davison (667 yards) and Dierre Hill (656) to form one of the Big Ten’s top backfield duos.
The Ducks have a little retooling to do up front, but line coach A’Lique Terry is one of the best in the Big Ten, and this unit received a massive boost when center Iapani Laloulu also declared his return for ‘26.
The good news for continued this offseason on defense with linemen Bear Alexander, Teitum Tuioti, A’Mauri Washington, and Matayo Uiagalelei returning. Safety Dillon Thieneman declared for the NFL and will be missed on the back end. However, a defense that limited teams to 17.9 points a game landed standout Minnesota safety Koi Perich from the portal and returns rising star cornerback Brandon Finney Jr.
Oregon has won double-digit games in all six of the last full seasons of games (excluding 2020) and appeared in the playoff three times since ‘14. Coach Dan Lanning’s team earned the No. 1 overall seed in the ‘24 field but lost in the quarterfinals to Ohio State. The Ducks took a step forward this year, defeating James Madison in the first round and Texas Tech in the quarterfinals before a loss to Indiana in the semifinals.
With Moore and a few other key players opting to pass on the NFL, along with Lanning’s work on the recruiting trail and transfer portal, Oregon is winning the offseason once again and has all of the pieces in ‘26 to rank No. 1 in the preseason and bring home the program’s first national title.
Related: Dante Moore Returning to Oregon: Is It the Right Decision?
Related: Way-Too-Early Heisman Trophy Contenders for the 2026 College Football Season
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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