3,500-yard QB explains career decision to return to college football

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has opted to return to college for another season, foregoing a potential No. 2 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. This decision comes despite projections that he could have commanded a $52 million salary package as the draft's second pick. Moore emphasized that his choice was motivated by a desire to further develop his skills rather than financial considerations.

Moore's collegiate journey includes a stint as a part-time starter at UCLA in 2023, where he threw for 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. After transferring to Oregon in 2024 and taking a redshirt season, Moore excelled in 2025, completing nearly 72% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Moore's decision to remain at Oregon affects the landscape of both the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts. With Moore out of the 2026 draft, there is no clear second quarterback