Dante Moore turned down the NFL draft to keep building at Oregon, and that choice gives the Ducks a dangerous edge heading into the season. The quarterback is already being talked about as a Heisman Trophy favorite, and a big part of that buzz comes from what he has around him. When Oregon visits the Coliseum this year, USC will have to deal with a passing game that looks built to punish defenses.
One of the biggest reasons for the excitement in Eugene is the receiver room, and sophomore Dakorien Moore sits right at the center of it. Brad Crawford recently ranked him among the top 15 skill-position players in the country, and his evaluation makes it clear why the Ducks are so high on him:
"What makes Moore unique is his quick-twitch movement off the line, route polish and instant acceleration that shows up the moment the ball is snapped. He doesn't need space to create separation -- he manufactures it with sudden cuts and explosive bursts out of breaks.
Moore is equally dangerous on vertical routes and quick hitters, staples of the Oregon offense that the Ducks will retain in a new era of sorts following Will Stein's departure to Kentucky. In Oregon's fast-paced offense, Moore is a true all-around weapon and nearly impossible to game-plan for in 2026."
Moore is coming off his freshman season and now steps into a bigger role as the top receiving threat for Dante Moore. That Moore-to-Moore connection should produce plenty of explosive plays, and it’s the kind of pairing that could cause problems for the rest of the Big Ten, USC included.
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USC Is In A High-Stakes Fight For Elite In-State Tackle
Austin Attalah has quickly become one of the names to know on USCs 2028 recruiting board, and for good reason. The five-star offensive tackle from Cajon High School has already taken in multiple stops along his recruitment, including USC, Texas, Texas Tech and Ohio State, while also narrowing things down with a top-eight list that signals just how serious his process has become.
For USC, the appeal is obvious and the competition is familiar. Attalah has shown interest in the Trojans and in Texas schools, with his family ties to Texas giving those programs real momentum, but USC also has made a strong impression with its renewed commitment to going after elite national talent. The Trojans have been in this one from the start, and the next round of visits figures to say plenty about where this race is headed. [Read more 🡒]
USC Freshman Madden Riordan Is Suddenly Hard To Ignore In Secondary
A spring practice injury pileup at safety has created an opening for USC freshman Madden Riordan, and he has done enough with the extra work to make himself noticeable in a hurry. The Sierra Canyon product has been around the ball all month, turning added reps into a string of plays that have stood out in scrimmage settings and throughout the teams spring work.
For a defense that is still sorting out its depth, that kind of early consistency matters. Lincoln Riley and Paul Gonzales have both pointed to Riordans instincts, football IQ and feel for the game, the sort of traits that can get a young defensive back on the field before the rest of the room is ready to hand over snaps. [Read more 🡒]