Dante Moore is officially back at Oregon for another season, and let me tell you, the guy is already being hyped as one of the best signal-callers in the entire nation. He passed on the 2026 NFL draft, opting to add more experience, and rivals are already talking him up as a top-five pick for 2027. This isn’t just fan chatter either, we’re talking about rival Big Ten coaches pouring out praise after his impressive first year as the Ducks’ starter. It’s wild to think he decided to stay put after the kind of season he just had.
Big Ten Coaches Are Seriously Hyped
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg caught up with multiple rival coaches, and their comments about Moore are absolutely dripping with respect. One Big Ten coach didn’t hold back, saying, “Dante was exceptionally good. He was the most confident back there. He had the best presence of all the guys. He looks the part, he acts the part, he controls the line of scrimmage. He throws a good ball, but he was a guy who continued to make good decisions.” That’s not just a compliment, that’s a rival coach admitting this kid is the real deal and then some. You don’t get that kind of unsolicited praise often.
And it wasn’t just one guy. A Big Ten defensive coordinator piled on, highlighting Moore’s insane physical gifts. He said, “His arm talent certainly jumps out. His arm talent, his ability to improvise, the ability to throw from different locations, his ability to ad-lib.” Think about that: a defensive coordinator, whose job it is to STOP quarterbacks, is marveling at Moore’s ability to just *make plays* when things break down. That’s a huge red flag for opposing defenses and a massive green light for anyone watching him play.
The Numbers Don’t Lie About This Guy’s Talent
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype, but Moore’s performance last season backs up every single word. He dropped 3,565 yards, tossed 30 touchdowns, and only threw 10 interceptions. Plus, he completed a ridiculous 71.8 percent of his passes. Seriously, those are video game numbers, especially for a guy just finishing his first year as a starter. With stats like that, it’s no shocker that he would’ve likely been a top-two pick in the 2026 NFL draft. But here’s the kicker: he only had 20 career starts under his belt, and he decided to hold off, aiming for even more experience. That takes serious confidence and a desire to be absolutely perfect before making the jump.
What’s Next for the Future NFL Star
Even with him holding out for another year, the NFL scouts are clearly not forgetting about him. Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski already has Moore pegged as the No. 4 pick in his 2027 mock draft, heading to the Arizona Cardinals. Sobleski sees him as the third quarterback off the board, behind Texas’ Arch Manning and Miami’s Darian Mensah. Imagine being so good that you skip one draft, and you’re *still* projected as a top-five pick in the next one. It’s safe to say Moore is going to be incredibly motivated this season. He’s trying to stand out from what looks like a ridiculously deep class of quarterbacks, and you know he wants to blow past those expectations.
So yeah, get ready for an absolute show from Moore this season. He’s got his sights set on blowing past those top-five projections and cementing himself as *the* guy in 2027. You really don’t want to miss this.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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