Oregon Ducks fans have officially seen the last of quarterback Dante Moore playing in Eugene. Head coach Dan Lanning dropped the news Monday night: Moore, who hasn’t seen the field since suffering a concussion back in Week 4 against the USC Trojans, is shutting it down for the year. He’s skipping the rest of the season to focus entirely on getting ready for the 2027 NFL Draft. Talk about a curveball for the Ducks faithful.
The Big Bet That Didn’t Pay Off
Moore was a seriously hot prospect, considered a top-five pick if he’d gone into the draft last year. But he made the gutsy call to come back to Oregon for one more season, aiming to chase a national championship and really hone his passing game. Man, that’s a tough break. After his injury, and with the Ducks struggling without him under center, those College Football Playoff dreams are pretty much dead in the water. The brutal truth is, the risk of taking another hit far outweighs any benefit of him playing collegiately right now. His time as a Duck officially wraps up with some solid numbers: 4,540 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions, all while completing over 71% of his passes. As the starter, he led the team to an impressive 16-3 record, even getting them into the CFP semifinal just a year ago. What a ride it was, even if it ended too soon.
What’s Next for Moore and the Ducks?
So, what does this mean for Moore’s NFL future? Analysts like Todd McShay had him pegged as a top-five pick even earlier this year. But opting out of the rest of the season could definitely shake things up on those mock draft boards. The league is always watching, and this kind of decision, especially after an injury, creates a lot of chatter. As for the Ducks, they’re probably rolling with Dylan Raiola taking snaps from here on out. There’s also a chance they could experiment with Akili Smith or Brock Thomas, too. Right now, they’re sitting at a rocky 4-3 record, and the schedule ahead is brutal. We’re talking Northwestern, Ohio State, Michigan, and the Washington Huskies all still on the docket. Picking up the two more wins they need just to become bowl-eligible? That’s gonna be a serious challenge, folks.
Moore is now fully in NFL Draft prep mode, and every scout will be dissecting this decision. For the Ducks, it’s about finding their stride without their star QB as they navigate a brutal end to the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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