Dante Moore arrived at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago with a lot on his plate and even more riding on his shoulders. Oregon’s starting quarterback is now one of the most recognizable names in college football, and he’s stepping into 2026 as the face of a Ducks team that expects to chase a national championship.
In an extended interview, Moore opened up about where he is as a leader, how much he has grown, and what it means to be the guy carrying Oregon’s hopes. He also talked about Dylan Raiola, the transfer quarterback in the room with him, and the way that relationship has taken shape.
Moore drew a clear connection between Raiola’s arrival and his own path to Eugene. Before the 2024 season, Moore transferred from UCLA to Oregon and spent that year learning behind Dillon Gabriel. He described that stretch as a chance to absorb everything he could while still pushing the veteran quarterback along the way.
Now the roles have shifted. Moore is trying to give Raiola that same kind of guidance, helping him get comfortable with Oregon’s offense and preparing him for whatever comes next.
At the same time, the two keep each other sharp in the weight room and on the practice field. It’s the kind of setup Oregon has wanted in its quarterback room under quarterbacks coach Koa Ka'ai.
Moore also talked about how his leadership has changed. Coaches and teammates have said he’s become more vocal and more willing to hold people accountable, which matters for a team entering a season with huge expectations.
And his growth isn’t just about football. Moore has been open about mental health and the pressure college athletes carry while juggling performance, school, family, and life off the field. He wants younger athletes to understand that asking for help is not something to hide from.
His return gives Oregon a proven quarterback and another shot at finishing the job from last season. Moore’s interview touched on Raiola, leadership, Oregon’s expectations, and the next step in his own development as the Ducks’ starter.
In Other News...
Oregon May Have A Late Backcourt Decision To Make
A federal court ruling this week added an unexpected wrinkle to Oregons offseason roster planning, with a U.S. District Court judge granting a preliminary injunction that requires the NCAA to declare eligible all high school class of 2022 athletes who used up four seasons of eligibility this spring. For a Ducks program that has already largely assembled its roster but kept a few openings available, the decision arrives at a time when backcourt depth is still worth monitoring.
One name to keep in mind is Takai Simpkins, the former Oregon guard who was part of the case. Even with the portal already in motion and the roster picture mostly settled, the ruling creates a late-stage possibility the Ducks may have to weigh, especially if they want to preserve flexibility in the guard rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Is Suddenly In The Mix For A Proven Guard Again
A court ruling in Colorado has reopened the college basketball market in a way few programs could have predicted, giving players from the 2022 recruiting class another year of NCAA eligibility and prompting a fresh round of roster shuffling. For teams like Oregon, it has created an opportunity to revisit experienced backcourt options at a time when proven guards are always in demand.
Among the players drawing attention is Memphis guard Dug McDaniel, whose path has already included stops at Michigan and Kansas State before his time with the Tigers. Oregon is reportedly among the programs showing interest, and the broader appeal is obvious: a seasoned ballhandler suddenly available again, with multiple schools now trying to sort out where he might land next. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Tight End Battle Could Change The Ducks Offense Fast
The tight end room is shaping up as one of the more interesting parts of Oregons 2026 roster, with five-star newcomer Kendre Harrison already looking like a player who could push for immediate snaps. He brings the kind of blend the Ducks value there, with enough blocking ability to hold up in the run game and enough receiving skill to be more than just a line-of-scrimmage option. Add in his athletic profile, plus the expectation that he will also spend time around college basketball, and Oregon has a rare kind of mismatch piece entering the program.
Jamari Johnson gives the Ducks a proven returning option, which makes the battle feel less about finding one usable tight end and more about sorting out how quickly the offense can take advantage of two different skill sets. If Harrison adapts fast, Oregon could open the season with a much more dangerous group at the position than most teams in the country can match. The bigger question now is not whether the Ducks will have talent there, but how soon they can turn it into a real edge on offense. [Read more 🡒]