Dante Moore enters Oregon’s 2026 season with the kind of Heisman setup that usually turns heads fast: a loaded roster, a schedule packed with spotlight games and a return decision that kept him in Eugene instead of chasing the NFL. According to DraftKings, the Ducks quarterback is already one of the favorites to win college football’s biggest individual award.
That status makes sense. Moore had a strong foundation last season, completing more than 71 percent of his passes and throwing for more than 30 touchdowns. Now the question is whether he can take the next step and turn that production into the kind of season that ends with a trip to New York.
The path is there, but it’s not a soft one. Oregon’s schedule gives Moore multiple chances to make a national impression, starting right away in Week 1 against Boise State.
After that comes the kind of slate Heisman contenders dream about: a road game at Ohio State, plus matchups with USC and Michigan. Those are the kinds of stages where a quarterback can change the conversation in one afternoon.
And the Buckeyes game looms especially large. Moore will have to handle a physical Ohio State defense in Columbus, in what could be a top-five or even top-two showdown. If Oregon wins that game and Moore delivers a big performance, his Heisman case gets a serious jolt.
The same goes for the other marquee matchups. Games against Michigan and USC give him more chances to stack quality performances against major programs, and that matters because this race won’t be decided by numbers alone. Moore’s stat line will matter, sure, but the award is also about how he carries Oregon when the lights are brightest.
That’s where the larger picture comes in. Moore returned to Oregon instead of heading to the 2026 NFL Draft, where he likely would have been a No. 2 or No. 3 overall pick. He chose another year in college with a bigger prize in mind: a national championship push and, potentially, the Heisman to go with it.
The Ducks have the kind of supporting cast that can help him get there. Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan and tight end Jamari Johnson give him a dangerous and dependable group of targets. If that passing game becomes one of the most productive in the country, Moore’s numbers should follow.
For him, the formula is pretty clear. Keep the interceptions in the single digits, push the touchdown total toward the 40-touchdown range and stay efficient while Oregon chases historic heights. If the Ducks are in the hunt for a top College Football Playoff seed, or if they add a Big Ten championship to the résumé, Moore’s candidacy only gets stronger.
He’s already in the mix. Now he has a season full of chances to make sure he stays there.
In Other News...
Oregon Fans May Not Love Whats Coming To Autzen This Season
The familiar green turf at Autzen Stadium is about to get a new look this fall, as Oregon athletics has struck a four-year partnership with investment firm Edward Jones. The deal brings the companys logo onto the 25-yard lines and extends beyond football, with Edward Jones also set to sponsor multiple Ducks sports programs while backing financial literacy programming tied to the department.
For Oregon fans, the change is another reminder of how sponsorship is reshaping the college sports landscape, even in one of the sports most recognizable venues. The partnership also reaches into the future, with Edward Jones attached as the title sponsor of Oregon footballs 2026 season opener and involved in a slate of in-game promotional activities, meaning this is likely to be a visible part of the game-day experience for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Could Catch Oregon At A Very Different Strength Than Expected
Oregons preseason picture has already been shaped by a few nagging injury situations, and the Ducks are still sorting out who will be fully ready by the time the 2026 opener arrives. Receiver Dillon Gresham does not have a clear return timetable after a neck injury, linebacker Brayden Platt is expected to be limited for a while after a spring injury, and the good news so far is that offensive lineman Dave Iuli has been practicing and is on track to be available when the season begins.
There is also a broader reset happening on both sides of the ball, with receiver Evan Stewart and safety Trey McNutt working their way back from injuries suffered in 2025. For Oregon, the concern is less about one isolated absence than how all of these health questions could affect the Ducks early-season identity, especially if Boise State sees a version of this team that leans more heavily on depth and recovery than anyone expected a few months ago. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Has A Huge Chance To Flip The Script With 5-Star WR
Braylon Clarks recruiting calendar is starting to take shape, and Oregon is right in the middle of it. The five-star wide receiver has lined up seven visits to six schools during the offseason, with the Ducks getting an especially meaningful date on November 14 when Michigan comes to Eugene. For Oregon, that trip matters because it puts Clark in the building for one of the programs biggest home stages, a chance to sell him on the atmosphere, the passing game and what life looks like on the West Coast.
Ohio State may have the early edge in Clarks recruitment, but Oregon has positioned itself as a serious contender rather than a courtesy stop. Clark is also scheduled to see the Buckeyes twice, including when they host Oregon on November 7, which gives him a direct side-by-side look at two of the sports biggest brands. The Ducks still have plenty of ground to make up, but with a five-star target taking multiple swings at both programs, this one is far from settled. [Read more 🡒]