Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is forgoing a chance to enter the NFL this year and instead will return to college for his junior season. The announcement was made by Moore on Wednesday afternoon, live on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Moore, 20, completed over 70 percent of his passes for 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added 156 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground while leading Oregon to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Speculation grew regarding Moore’s future in Oregon after the Ducks lost to top-ranked Indiana in the Peach Bowl, 56-22, in a game where he completed just 62 percent of his throws and turned the ball over multiple times — one of which was a brutal pick-6 on the first play of the game.
Moore still had two more years of eligibility remaining.
The news isn’t great for the New York Jets. Moore was considered the top quarterback prospect of the 2026 draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
He, along with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, would have given the selection process two quarterbacks with top-five talent in April.
Instead, quarterback-needy teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, drafting ahead of New York, could secure the Heisman Trophy winner instead.
There won’t be a top-five quarterback available for the Jets remaining, either. Moore potentially coming out would have given the team that chance.
Now, other signal-callers, such as Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss, will be in the second tier of signal-callers available in April.
It doesn’t mean New York won’t be able to get a potential franchise quarterback in this draft. Dante Moore’s decision to return to school limits the options and versatility available to the New York Jets.
