Dan Lanning, Dante Moore, and the Oregon Ducks have a lot on their plate right now. After a blowout win over James Madison, the No.5 Ducks face the No.4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second round of the College Football Playoff on Thursday afternoon.
While the Ducks focus on this matchup, it could be the last game for offensive coordinator Will Stein, set to become Kentucky’s head coach, and co-defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who will take over at California next season.
Next, Moore faces a key decision: Declare for the draft, return to Oregon, or enter the transfer portal (the last option seems unlikely, but anything can happen in college football these days).
Will Stein Discusses Dante’s Moore NFL Decision
Many believe Moore could go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. According to PFSN analyst Ian Cummings, he is already the top QB prospect.
“You want to see QBs deliver in high-pressure situations, and Moore has shown glimpses of that verifiable clutch gene,” PFSN’s scouting report on Moore says.
“He was ice-cold against an NFL talent-laden Penn State Nittany Lions defense through four quarters and overtime, in one of the toughest places to play. And though a forced throw doomed him late against Indiana, he rebounded and showed resolve with a dominant performance against Rutgers the following week,” it read.
Moore originally transferred to Oregon prior to the 2024 season after one season at UCLA. This season, he led the Ducks to a 12-1 record this season, their only loss coming to top-ranked Indiana.
The 6’3″ redshirt sophomore has completed 246 of 340 passes (72.4%) for 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions, plus 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Moore earned a PFSN QB Impact Score of 85.9, graded as a B. Although that isn’t a bad grade, there is obviously a little more to the story when it comes to Moore, who is in his first year as the Ducks’ starter.
Naturally, Moore and his coaches, especially Stein, are not discussing his NFL future at this time.
“The minute you, me, him, anybody thinks about what’s next is when you get your butt whipped,” Stein said via Rob Moseley of GoDucks.com. “So I know he’s focused on this game, this moment. Because you don’t get many of these opportunities.”
Will Stein on Dante Moore’s looming NFL Draft decision: “The minute you, me, him, anybody thinks about what’s next is when you get your butt whipped. So I know he’s focused on this game, this moment. Because you don’t get many of these opportunities.” #GoDucks
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) December 28, 2025
Like his coach, Moore is focused on Texas Tech, not his looming decision. “We’re ready, we’re excited, and it’s gonna be a great team to play against,” Moore said.
Moore and the Ducks will kick off against Texas Tech at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, at noon Thursday. The game airs on ESPN.
