Dante Moore spurns NFL draft, will return to Oregon for 2026 season

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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is returning to school for the 2026 season, he announced live on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Moore, a projected first-round pick, was widely regarded as the No. 2 quarterback available in April’s NFL draft behind Indiana‘s Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy. The redshirt sophomore passed for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns to 10 interceptions in his first season as a full-time college starter.

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“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,” he 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.”

The former UCLA transfer sat behind Heisman finalist Dillon Gabriel in 2024. Moore will mentor former five-star recruit Dylan Raiola, a Nebraska transfer, in 2026, presuming Raiola stays in Oregon after the news.

Moore threw those tuned into his announcement for a loop at first, talking with a somber tone while looking back on his season at Oregon and mentioning consulting with people in his camp. But he then flipped the script, announcing his return.

Moore led the Ducks to the College Football Playoff, where they took down James Madison and Texas Tech before falling to Indiana 56-22 in the CFP semifinals at the Peach Bowl. The 6-foot-3 signal caller struggled in the game, committing three turnovers, although he passed for 285 yards with two touchdowns.

Moore was the No. 4 overall recruit and No. 3 quarterback of the 2023 recruiting class, per 247Sports’ Composite. His decision has massive NFL draft implications, with Alabama’s Ty Simpson likely moving up to the No. 2 quarterback available.

Moore instantly becomes one of the top returning players in college football, especially at quarterback. He’ll also be a trendy preseason Heisman pick.

Dante Moore NFL draft projection

Moore was projected to go No. 2 overall to the New York Jets in USA TODAY’s latest NFL mock draft, one spot behind Mendoza.

“He’s in play to be the top pick thanks to his tools at his young age,” Ayrton Ostly wrote. “He’s in the mold of C.J. Stroud with his accuracy, layering and mobility with plenty of room for development. That loss to Indiana stings but it’s not the full picture of his talents.”

Dante Moore stats

Here are Moore’s year-by-year stats in college:

  • 2023 (UCLA): 114-of-213 passing (53.5%) for 1,610 yards with 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions
  • 2024 (Oregon): 7-of-8 passing for 49 yards
  • 2025 (Oregon): 296-of-412 passing (71.8%) for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns to 10 interceptions; 73 carries for 156 yards with two touchdowns

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dante Moore passes on 2026 NFL draft, will return to Oregon football

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