Urban Meyer Debates If Dante Moore Should Return To Oregon Over NFL Draft

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks have a talented roster led by quarterback Dante Moore, who will have to decide whether to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft or return to the program next season. While Moore has time to decide, Urban Meyer said he's 'not ready.'

Sep 20, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up before the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks are 6-1 heading into week 9 of the college football season. The Ducks are one of the top teams, and a big reason is Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. Moore will have a big decision to make following the season: should he declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, or return to the Ducks next season?

On the podcast “The Triple Option,” college football analysts Todd McShay and Urban Meyer debated whether there is a true first-round quarterback this year. The conversation led to deciding whether Moore should declare for the NFL draft or return to Oregon. Both McShay and Meyer believe the Oregon quarterback should return to college.

Belief Moore Should Return Another Season

Meyer said that Moore is "not ready" for the NFL yet.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore arrives at the stadium as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2025 season is Moore’s first year starting for the Oregon Ducks. He transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2024 season, but sat behind quarterback Dillon Gabriel for the year. Before Oregon, Moore played for the UCLA Bruins, where he started just five games.

Moore has shown patience throughout his collegiate career, and it is proving to pay off with his performance. With his development, McShay argues Moore should spend another season with the Ducks to hone his skills.

“Dante Moore, who had five starts at UCLA. Did not go well. He’s not ready, but my goodness, he is talented. And if he and with Will Stein developing him, like we saw with Bo Nix, like we saw with Dillon Gabriel, with Will Stein, give him another year,” McShay said. “Look at all the mistakes. Let’s figure out what we did well. What are the areas we have to improve and come back for another year?”

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore warms up as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Meyer backed up McShay’s point, arguing that Moore is not ready for the NFL. While both argue that Moore should spend another season with the program, it was not to take away from the Oregon quarterback’s talent, but to encourage him to hone his skills first.

MORE: Oregon Is Back in Play for Five-Star Running Back Recruit After New Visit Plans

MORE: What the Advanced Analytics Say About Oregon vs. Wisconsin

MORE: Oregon Ducks Can't-Miss Tie Dye Uniforms Are Recruiting Magnet

Oregon’s Ability To Develop Quarterbacks

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning instructs his team from the sideline against the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The Ducks have produced several talented quarterbacks, even before Oregon coach Dan Lanning took over the program. The most recent first-round quarterback draft picks out of Oregon were the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert and the Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix.

While Herbert played for the Ducks before Lanning took over, both of the first-round picks have something in common, and that is they played for Oregon for multiple seasons before moving on to the NFL Draft. While Moore is in his second season with the Ducks, it is just his first season starting.

Heading into week 9, Moore has passed for 1,686 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has thrown just four interceptions and has a completion percentage of 72.3. Moore has also rushed for 144 yards, and he is showing good decision-making, which is leading to big wins for the Ducks.

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

If Moore were to choose to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, he would likely still be among the first quarterbacks off the board, but just one season as a full starter could cause him to drop and be seen as more of a developmental quarterback. Moore could still go on and have a talented NFL career if he were to declare after this season.

If Moore chooses to return to the Ducks, it would give him another season to not only hone his skills but to show that he is a consistently strong quarterback. He could help Oregon strive for a national title while boosting his draft stock next year.

Only time will tell what Moore’s decision will be, but for now, the quarterback is focused on helping the Oregon Ducks push for a college football playoff appearance and more.