Oregon quarterback Dante Moore shocked fans and analysts alike when he opted to forego the NFL Draft for an extra season of college football. In a draft class light on quarterback talent, Moore was projected to be the QB2 after former Indiana Hoosiers star Fernando Mendoza, making his decision even more shocking.
After a stellar season under center for the Ducks, Moore’s return has raised expectations of a national championship run for coach Dan Lanning’s team next season.
Analyst Gives Damning Dante Moore Assessment
During Sunday’s segment of the “After Further Review” podcast, ESPN analyst Bill Connelly gave a damning assessment of Moore’s talent ceiling against the best teams in the country.
“I had Dante Moore sixth,” Connelly said. “My issue with Dante Moore is, he’s one of those computer quarterbacks, where he’s always going to make the logical decision and get the ball out accurately and all that. But against good defenses, he did nothing last year. The best defenses he played, he did nothing. He was just checking down.”
“He was taking really easy passes and Oregon didn’t score that much against the best defenses. He’ll have a more stable receiving corps this year. He was young, there was a different set of guys every week because of injuries. So, that’s gonna help a little bit. The guys that I’ve seen do more against the best defenses, I trust them more.”
The Ducks’ wide receivers room suffered from multiple injuries last season, losing top target Evan Stewart to a torn patellar tendon even before the season started. Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr. also missed significant game time during the season, leaving Malik Benson as Moore’s only reliable target during games.
SEE ALSO: Trinidad Chambliss’ Attorney Doesn’t Hold Back on Urban Meyer After NIL Reform Demand
During Friday’s segment of the “Autzen Audibles” podcast, new Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer hailed Moore’s return to Eugene and broke down the qualities that made the quarterback ideal for Oregon.
“I don’t pop champagne very often,” Mehringer said. “But I did on that day… When you have experience at that position and if that guy feels good, and that guy feels convicted about what he’s doing, then generally good things happen. When you have somebody like that, he’s obviously super talented, it’s not a question of talent, but the character and the human that he is.”
After backing up Dillon Gabriel during the 2024 season, Moore exploded last season, tallying 3,565 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while adding 156 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns to earn himself a PFSN College QB Impact score of 85.9.
