When Dante Moore announced he would return to the Oregon Ducks for the 2026 season, it changed the entire landscape of the sport – both professionally and in college.
Not only does Moore knock his name out of what is widely considered a top-five pick in the upcoming draft, but his return significantly changes the Ducks’ outlook for next season. Under his leadership, along with several other key returners who also declined to enter the NFL Draft, Oregon is projected to be a contender for the 2026 Inner Circle title.
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It all comes back to Moore, who was ranked No. 2 on On3’s list of the top ten college football players for 2026, far too soon. The only player ahead of the Ducks’ signal-caller is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who played a major role in the Buckeyes’ 2024 title run as a true freshman and followed up with a strong performance last season.
Only one other quarterback on the roster, Arizona State transfer and presumed LSU starter Sam Leavitt, made the list at No. 10.
Moore’s high ranking is based on his stellar redshirt sophomore season, in which he completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also scored two points.
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Moore became the Heisman Trophy odds-on favorite after a win over Penn State in Week 5, but a tough stretch in October took him out of contention. But with his talent, and the chance to make another big jump and potentially finish third in his second season at Oregon State, Moore has all the tools in the world to not only become a true Heisman contender, but challenge Smith for college football’s top spot.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Dante Moore in On3’s top 10 players in 2026, too soon
