On January 14, 2026, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore officially announced his decision to return to the University of Oregon for his junior season, passing on the 2026 NFL Draft.
While many scouts viewed him as a “lock” for a top-five selection, potentially as high as the No. 2 overall pick to the New York Jets, the consensus among evaluators is that returning to college is a strategic move for his long-term professional success.
In 2025, Oregon QB Dante Moore earned significant recognition, becoming a Maxwell Award semifinalist, a finalist for the prestigious Manning Award, and a semifinalist for the Walter Camp and Davey O’Brien Awards, all for his outstanding season where he led the Ducks to the College Football Playoff. He also received the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor and was considered a potential darkhorse Heisman candidate, despite not making the final shortlist for that award.
Why Scouts Believe Staying is Smart
The primary argument for Moore’s return centers on the “experience factor.” Despite his high ceiling, scouts highlighted several areas where another year of college could benefit him:
Limited Starting Experience: Moore has only about 20 career starts (including 5 at UCLA as a true freshman). NFL evaluators often look for a higher threshold of starts to ensure a quarterback is prepared for the “speed” and complexity of the professional game.
Refining Decision-Making: While his 2025 stats were impressive ($3,565$ yards and $30$ touchdowns), scouts noticed struggles with processing defensive shifts and poise during high-stakes games. Specifically, a late-season stretch where he threw four interceptions and a “subpar” performance in a 56–22 blowout loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinals raised concerns about his readiness.
Avoiding “Unstable” Landing Spots: Scouts noted that the teams drafting at the top of the 2026 board—such as the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders—are often viewed as “unstable” environments for a raw, 20-year-old quarterback. By staying, Moore avoids being thrown into a “sink or swim” situation on a roster with significant holes.
NIL vs. NFL Financials: While a top-five pick would guarantee a contract around $40–$50 million, Oregon’s deep NIL pockets (estimated around $2.3 million valuation) have bridged the financial gap. This allows Moore to stay “set for life” while focusing on the development needed to secure a much larger second NFL contract later on.
The Potential Risks
The decision is not without debate. Some analysts and scouts think “is it smart?” is a relative question:
- Peak Draft Stock: It is difficult for a prospect to rise higher than a projected top-five pick. Staying in school risks injury or a dip in performance that could cost him tens of millions in guaranteed rookie money.
- Stronger Future Classes: The 2027 draft class is projected to be “loaded” with talent like Arch Manning and Dylan Raiola (who recently transferred to Oregon), meaning Moore will face stiffer competition for the No. 1 spot next year.
Ultimately, Moore stated his decision was driven by a desire to “learn so much more” and finish “unfinished business” after Oregon’s CFP loss.