Dante Moore Isn’t Ready to Talk NFL Yet - His Focus Is Right Where It Needs to Be
EUGENE - With the College Football Playoff on deck and the NFL Draft looming just over the horizon, Dante Moore is squarely in the spotlight. But if you’re looking for a definitive answer on whether Oregon’s star quarterback is turning pro, you’re going to have to wait a little longer.
“Everybody keeps asking me questions, but there’s not a decision yet,” Moore said this week. “I don’t know. I’m glad to be here and play JMU this upcoming week.”
And that sums up where Moore’s head is at - not in April, not in draft rooms, but right here, right now, with a playoff matchup against James Madison on the horizon.
Let’s be clear: Moore has every reason to be on the minds of NFL scouts and front offices. He’s widely projected as a top-two quarterback in the upcoming draft class - if he declares. And with the NFL regular season winding down and the draft order starting to take shape, the buzz around Moore’s future is only going to get louder.
But Moore isn’t biting. Not yet.
“So many thoughts and so many things going on through my head,” he said. “I feel like having coach [Dan] Lanning and having a support team that helps me get through my every day life and making sure that I stayed focused on the main thing.
Of course, my main thing right now is to be where my feet (are) at. It’s being here with my teammates.”
That mindset - staying grounded in the moment - has been a big part of Moore’s evolution this season. After redshirting in 2024 behind Dillon Gabriel, Moore has taken full command of Oregon’s offense in 2025, and the results speak for themselves.
He’s completing 72.5% of his passes for 2,733 yards with 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Add 191 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, and you’ve got a quarterback who’s not just efficient - he’s dynamic. His ability to extend plays, read defenses, and make throws to every part of the field has turned Oregon into a legitimate title contender.
And when it matters most? Moore has delivered.
He’s led the Ducks on multiple two-minute drills, showing poise and precision in crunch time. His third-down numbers are especially eye-popping - a 187.4 passer efficiency rating (second-best in the country) and a 71.2% completion rate (seventh nationally).
That’s elite-level production in the money situations.
Offensive coordinator Will Stein has watched Moore grow into the role - not just as a quarterback, but as a leader.
“[He’s] playing with a swagger out there,” Stein said. “I think that’s shown throughout the rest of our skill guys and our offensive line. When Dante’s on, when he’s got that pep in his step we’re really hard to stop.”
That confidence has been contagious. Oregon enters the playoff ranked No. 5 in the nation at 11-1, and they’ll face a tough, disciplined No.
12 James Madison team that’s riding high at 12-1. It’s a matchup that will test Moore’s poise and Oregon’s offensive rhythm - but it’s also a chance for Moore to showcase his game on the biggest stage yet.
Underclassmen like Moore have until Jan. 14 to declare for the NFL Draft, with a slight extension to Jan. 23 for players in the national championship game. So there's still time for a decision.
But right now? Moore’s not thinking about draft boards or combine invites.
He’s thinking about James Madison. About his teammates. About the next throw.
And honestly, that’s exactly where his focus should be.