Oregon QB Dante Moore has had an up and down collegiate career to this point. Originally crystal ball’d to Notre Dame, Moore committed to UCLA before then transferring to Oregon after his freshman season.
During his freshman year at UCLA, Moore logged a 53% completion rate, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He added a 6.4% big time throw rate but a 4% turnover worthy play rate as well. After just 8 attempts his sophomore season at Oregon behind Dillon Gabriel, Moore has broke into the scene in 2025 putting himself as a possible Heisman candidate. The 6’3/205 Moore has logged a 75% completion rate, 1210 yards, 14 touchdowns, and an interception with another 172 yards and 2 TD on the ground.
Dante Moore will face off against Fernando Mendoza, Saturday the 11th as Indiana and Oregon go head to head.
Positives:
Moore has an adequate NFL frame, at 6’3/205 though he will need to add more weight in the NFL just to ensure injury prevention. Moore posses a quick compact release that is consistent and allows for him to generate zip and get the ball out into tight quick windows. Moore has exceptional arm talent, showing the ability to layer the ball and complete hole shot throws which are vital to a college QBs success in the NFL. He mixes his velocity, generates good touch and zip on the ball showing the ability to generate high levels of velocity on his throws. Additionally, Moore has good anticipation and accuracy on his intermediate and short throws where he will work the middle and sidelines throwing into space. The junior quarterback also demonstrates the ability to look off defenders and put the ball in his receivers chest in stride to create separation and YAC opportunities. His mechanics are fluid with a baseball pitcher approach. His feet and hips work in unison and allow Moore to generate good velocity and drive behind his passes. Though he’ll need to clean things up, the mechanics are extremely advanced and showing of constant success. Moore shows the ability to identify coverages and blitzes, and converts his offense to adjust to defensive personnel, a freedom Dan Lanning has given him. Due to his anticipation and mental ability to identify incoming pressure, Moore has succeeded while pressured throwing 185 yards and 2 touchdowns on 21 attempts with a 62% completion rate. In addition, when blitzed Moore has a 6% big time throw rate, 0% turnover worthy play rate, and 339 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a 72% completion rate on 25 of 35 attempts. Moore works well under pressure, he’s composed and tough while also being able to work the pocket in his favor to move around and make plays while stepping up or the side in order to avoid a collapsing edge rusher or blitzing linebacker. Moore showcases good deep ball traits, with the constant ability to complete 40+ yard throws with exceptional touch and in times in front of the receiver in order to create more success. Moore trusts his arm, but doesn’t overly trust it allowing him to constantly create big time plays but limit the failures. He rarely drops his shoulder leading to fading balls, understands leverage assignments from the cornerback and defensive backs which allow him to also put the ball into tight windows only his receiver can get it. Moore has athletic traits to run and can be a threat in the NFL as a scrambling quarterback or on designed runs, but at Oregon he utilizes those traits to move around the pocket and extend plays when needed. Through this, Moore also shows the ability to complete off platform throws while still generating good velocity.
Weakness:
Moore has his struggles at times with consistent downfield throws, while the deep pass attempts are effortless and quick Moore has shown to lose velocity on deep concepts over the middle or deep out route concepts. At only 20 years old, it is likely that this does continue to develop and can become adequate talent levels. Moore needs to become more consistent in his mechanics, especially footwork where he can get choppy at times and force the ball outside his receivers frame or too low. This also shows under pressure, where still successful, but Moore does speed up physically and his throwing motion can become awkward and inconsistent leading to off platform throws when not necessary. Moore is a threat to run but he lacks burst and acceleration and likely won’t rush for more than 6-10 yards at a clip, he’s adequate at scrambling and in certain systems will be a threat on rushing concepts but he’s not going to push north of 500/600 yards in a season. Moore has a tendency at times to hold onto the ball which will result in a sack, though he’s worked through this at Oregon and has seen his release time (2.31) at a career low and one of the fastest in college football. There’s some concern when it comes to Moore’s ability to keep up in the NFL quick concept, and he will need to show increased ability to progress his reads quick and get the ball out without second guessing himself which happens at times in Oregon. Finally, the junior quarterback will need to show that his interceptions can stay low, like they have this season, and also hold onto the ball where he’s struggled with 6 career fumbles.
Grade: 1.28 – Early First Rounder
Pro-Comp: Dak Prescott
Moore has shown advanced development this season, something that was expected but not at this level. The junior quarterback is likely to declare, and likely will be a top 5 selection. He has the NFL level arm talent, quick mechanics, and possess the ability to be advanced in numerous facets that most college quarterback prospects aren’t. Oregon has produced back to back NFL starting quarterbacks as rookies, and Moore will likely continue in that pipeline. He generates velocity and elite deep ball ability that offensive coordinators will fall in love with. He has to continue to stay consistent and with that will come more success, especially at the NFL level.
