Oregon announced that Dante Moore will take over as starting quarterback after Dillon Gabriel’s departure to the NFL. The Ducks are hoping Moore can fill the void left by several key players who moved on to professional football.
Moore’s already drawing national attention as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.
On3Sports college football analyst J.D. Pickell included Moore among his early finalists for the award. Pickell’s list features Ohio State freshman Jeremiah Smith as the projected winner, with LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers also making the cut.
The projection seems bold considering Moore’s track record so far.
Moore transferred from UCLA after his freshman season, where he struggled with consistency. During that season, he threw 11 touchdowns against nine interceptions and completed 53% of his passes.
He spent last season backing up Gabriel in Eugene. Now he’s getting his shot to lead the offense.
The former five-star recruit has the arm talent that made him one of the top quarterbacks in his recruiting class. He’s had a full year to learn Dan Lanning’s system and work with Oregon’s coaching staff.
Quarterback Development Track Record
Oregon’s recent history suggests Moore could be in good hands. Both Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel saw significant improvement under Lanning’s program.
Nix transformed from an inconsistent Auburn transfer into a Heisman finalist during his time with the Ducks. Gabriel followed that up with his own strong season before heading to the NFL.
Moore represents the next test of Oregon’s ability to develop quarterbacks. He’s got the physical tools and has had time to adjust to the system.
The Ducks will need Moore to step up if they want to maintain their offensive production from last season. Gabriel’s departure leaves a significant gap in experience and leadership.
But Oregon’s coaching staff believes they’ve prepared Moore for this moment. His development over the past year will be crucial to the team’s success in 2025.
