Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has officially decided to return to college for the 2026 season, foregoing early entry into the NFL Draft in a move that sends shockwaves through both the college football and professional football worlds. Moore announced the decision on Wednesday on SportsCenter, confirming he will run it back with the Ducks after leading them to a 13–2 record and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance.
The 20-year-old quarterback was widely viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, with multiple outlets projecting him as a potential top-two selection. Instead, Moore will enter next season with two years of eligibility remaining, aiming to elevate both his game and Oregon’s championship hopes even further.
Moore’s first full season as Oregon’s starter was nothing short of impressive. After transferring from UCLA and redshirting behind Dillon Gabriel in 2024, Moore erupted in 2025, completing 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while adding two rushing scores. His dual-threat ability and poise helped power Oregon deep into the playoff, even though his final game — a loss to Indiana — was marred by turnovers.
Despite that setback, Moore made it clear that his decision was about preparation and long-term growth.
“I want to feel most prepared and what’s best for my situation, especially as a quarterback,” Moore said. “I prayed a lot about it… and with that being said, I’ll be coming back to Oregon for one more year.”
From Oregon’s perspective, Moore’s return is massive. The Ducks are now positioned for a third straight College Football Playoff appearance under Dan Lanning, and they’ll enter 2026 with one of the most talented quarterback rooms in the country. Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola is expected to join the program and could follow the same redshirt-and-develop path Moore once took.
But Moore’s decision also creates major ripple effects across the NFL Draft — and that carries real implications for fantasy football.
The Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the No. 1 overall pick, are now widely expected to target Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. That leaves the New York Jets, sitting at No. 2, suddenly without a franchise quarterback option capable of immediately maximizing their elite skill-position talent. For fantasy managers, that uncertainty is brutal for players like Garrett Wilson, whose ceiling depends heavily on competent quarterback play. Without Moore in the draft pool, the Jets may be forced to reach or settle for a less dynamic passer, potentially limiting their offense heading into 2026.
The ripple continues at No. 6 with the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland has stockpiled offensive talent in recent drafts and currently has Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson on the roster, but neither is viewed as a long-term solution. Moore’s return means the Browns won’t have access to a blue-chip quarterback this cycle, delaying what could have been a transformational upgrade for playmakers like Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin Jr. Both young stars are poised for fantasy breakouts, but their ultimate ceiling still hinges on elite quarterback play.
In that sense, Moore’s decision doesn’t just impact Oregon — it reshapes the entire fantasy and NFL ecosystem for the coming year.
For the Ducks, the message is simple: championship or bust. With Moore back under center, Oregon once again enters the season as a national title contender. And for Moore himself, 2026 now becomes a golden opportunity to rewrite his final impression, elevate his draft stock, and position himself as the face of a future NFL franchise — one year later, and potentially in an even better situation.
