Oregon quarterback Dante Moore turned down a projected top-five NFL Draft slot to return to Eugene for one more season with the Ducks. Now, heading into 2026, he has laid out the mindset he believes the team needs, and it starts with something simpler than anyone expected.
Dante Moore’s One-Word Answer Sets the Tone for Oregon’s Title Push
Moore enters the 2026 season as one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks and a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender, sitting around +1100 on most preseason boards behind co-favorites CJ Carr and Arch Manning. After earning an 85.9 PFN QB Impact grade during last year’s regular season, the Oregon signal-caller is expected to lead the Ducks beyond their recent College Football Playoff appearances and into national title contention.
Asked at Big Ten Media Days what the most important thing Oregon has to do in 2026 is, Moore didn’t reach for anything tactical.
“Smile,” Moore said. “That’s the one thing I love. Just being able to smile through the good, bad and ugly. Just understanding that every day we get to go to war with our brothers. Just enjoying the process like Teitum said, just smile and keep a smile on your face and just enjoy the moment.”
It wasn’t a one-off. Speaking about his decision to bypass the draft, Moore returned to the same idea, saying the Ducks are “gonna have a lot of smiles on that field and have some fun.”
That mindset may prove valuable this season, as Moore’s ability to elevate his receivers gives Oregon one of the most intriguing passing attacks in the country. Chief among his targets is sophomore wide receiver Dakorien Moore, though the room is deeper than the Moore-to-Moore connection alone. Evan Stewart is back after missing 2025 with a knee injury, and Jeremiah McClellan returns as well, a trio widely expected to be among the Big Ten’s most productive.
Tight end Jamari Johnson made that point at the same podium in Chicago, telling reporters fans are “gonna be seeing pretty much everybody” this fall.
Still, the chemistry between the two Moores has been evident for some time. Dakorien spoke highly of the leadership Dante showed him from the moment he arrived on campus.
“I have a ton of respect for Dante,” Dakorien said in October 2025. “When I first came in, he was the guy to put me with the older guys. He was the person who knew that I was gonna make an impact on his team and just trusting me to come in and do my job and everything. Gave me respect for him and the hard work that he put in.
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“The dedication the consistency, I kind of pride myself on trying to be like him in most aspects. Not being the oldest guy on the team, but taking the leadership role of our team. Trying to be a wing to him and stuff like that. I try to make sure he feels the same love that he reciprocated from the jump.”
Dakorien appeared in 11 games and started seven last season, missing four games because of a knee injury suffered in practice ahead of the Iowa game. He finished with 34 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns while adding four rushing attempts for 49 yards and a touchdown, a total that ranks fifth in Oregon freshman history for receiving yards.
Ducks fans are eager to see the Moore-to-Moore connection flourish in year two. If they pair that talent with the mindset Dante continues to preach, Oregon will hope it’s smiling at the end of the season with a national championship.
