Dante Moore’s return has already changed the temperature around Oregon’s offense, and the reason goes beyond last season’s highlights. The Ducks were a strong team with him. With him choosing to stay, they suddenly look like a real national championship threat in 2026.
Moore was already coming off an impressive year, the kind that makes it easy to see why he has a legitimate shot at the program’s second Heisman Trophy. But even after that breakout, there was still another level to chase if he wanted to move toward elite status and maybe the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL draft.
According to Oregon quarterbacks coach Koa Ka'ai, Moore has spent the offseason making that jump.
“He's taken a big leap this offseason in regard to defensive recognition and really understanding what all 11 guys on the field are doing, and then just kind of taking that next level step in holding guys accountable," Ka'ai said. "You know, being that vocal guy out there.
He's not a first-year starter here anymore. This is his third year in the program, so he's taking a huge leap in that regard.”
Ka'ai also believes Moore’s growth has been matched by the offense around him. Oregon finished in the Top 10 in scoring last season at 36.9 points per game, tied with Mississippi, and the Ducks are bringing back plenty of that firepower for 2026.
That matters because Moore won’t be working with a thin group of targets. Oregon expects one of the strongest receiving corps the program has ever put on the field, and that includes Evan Stewart, who missed a lot of 2025 because of injury.
“In regard to how much this offense has progressed, there's not much that we can't do right now at all," Ka'ai said.
For the rest of the Big Ten, that’s a problem.
In Other News...
Dante Moore Is Already Hinting At Oregons Next Difference-Maker
Fall camp has already given Oregon a fresh glimpse of what Dante Moore thinks could become a major piece of the offense. The Ducks quarterback has taken notice of incoming wide receiver Jalen Lott, pointing to how quickly he has picked up the playbook and how hard he has gone to work since arriving in Eugene. For a receiver trying to earn trust in a crowded room, that kind of early attention from the quarterback matters.
Moore also has singled out Lotts speed and catching ability, and the early practice showing has only reinforced the buzz around him. Oregon expects Lott to be part of a wide receiver group that already includes returning talent, so the challenge now is turning those flashes into a role that shows up when the games count. If the camp progress carries over, the Ducks may already have another offensive threat on their hands. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Linebacker Room Is Taking Shape Around One Crucial Camp Challenge
Fall camp has started to clarify Oregons linebacker picture, and Brian Michalowski is seeing the kind of steady progress a position coach wants this time of year. Jerry Mixon has stood out for his growing leadership and the confidence hes bringing onto the field, while Devon Jacksons health has allowed him to stay consistently involved in practice. Add in the early work from the freshmen and the flexibility Nasir Wyatt brings as an edge defender, and the Ducks are getting a better sense of who can handle the demands of the room.
Michalowskis emphasis has been less about flash than about the habits that make the group function, especially communication and development driven by the players themselves. For a linebacker room that still has pieces sorting into place, that matters because the position asks for more than athleticism. Oregon wants clarity, accountability and voices on the field, and camp is giving the staff a chance to see which players are ready to help provide all three. [Read more 🡒]
Former Oregon Ducks Are Making NFL Teams Take Notice
A wave of former Oregon Ducks is making its presence felt early in the 2026 NFL preseason, giving the program another reminder of how much professional talent it continues to send into the league. Among the early standouts are rookies Noah Whittington and Malik Benson, both 2026 draft picks whose first exhibition showings offered an encouraging glimpse of what they might bring at the next level.
The buzz has not been limited to offense, either. Defenders Bryce Boettcher, Dillon Thieneman and Jabbar Muhammad have also drawn notice as they work through roster battles and try to turn strong preseason moments into spots on regular-season depth charts. For Oregon fans, it is the kind of early August progress report that can make the coming weeks worth tracking closely. [Read more 🡒]