The Oregon Ducks enter their rivalry clash with Oregon State on a winning streak, powered by a quarterback who is suddenly one of the most talked-about players in college football.
Dante Moore, a former transfer from UCLA, has sparked national attention with a breakout start that has already led to comparisons with Houston Texans quarterback and former Ohio State star C.J. Stroud.
Moore’s journey has been far from smooth. A five-star recruit and Michigan’s top high school player in 2023, he was ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in a class that also featured Arch Manning, Nico Iamaleava, and Jackson Arnold.
He committed to UCLA but was pushed into action too quickly as a true freshman. In nine games during the 2023 season, Moore completed only 53.5 percent of his passes, finishing with 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Seeking development, Moore entered the transfer portal and landed at Oregon. The program had already shown its ability to revitalize quarterbacks by transforming Bo Nix into a first-round NFL draft pick.
After a year learning behind Dillon Gabriel and mastering Will Stein’s playbook in 2024, Moore took over in 2025 with dramatic results.
Also read: Oregon HC Dan Lanning warns Dante Moore can’t win alone despite Ducks' 3-0 start
Through three games, he has completed 78.1 percent of his throws for 657 yards, seven touchdowns, and just one interception. His current 87.8 QBi rating ranks 13th in the nation.
“The decision to patiently wait his turn has seemingly paid off, as he’s been one of the best quarterbacks in college football through September,” PFSN analyst Ian Cummings said.
Cummings added that,
“From a diagnostic standpoint, he bears some similarity to first-round pick and Pro Bowl passer CJ Stroud.”
Both quarterbacks share a nearly identical frame at 6-foot-3 and roughly 206 pounds. They also display effortless velocity, strong accuracy, and functional mobility.
His Sept. 27 matchup with Penn State could further accelerate his NFL draft timeline, potentially shifting him from a 2027 prospect to the 2026 class.
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