Dante Moore is staying in Eugene to finish what he started. After a stinging Peach Bowl defeat, the Oregon Ducks quarterback has passed on the NFL Draft to turn his 2025 lessons into a 2026 title run.

“My losses are lessons, man,” he told On3. “I felt that in that moment, it was a lesson for me to learn. First, to be able to play in that position, play in the Peach Bowl, not that many people can make it that far.”

The Ducks have made just one appearance in the Peach Bowl in their program’s history. It was in 2025 with Moore as their quarterback. It is a milestone to be sure, but it did not pan out as they had desired.

“Of course, it didn’t go the way we wanted it to go, but just being able to watch the film, pick up on some bad habits that I kept doing, and kind of bit me in the foot on the way there. I understood and appreciated that moment,” Moore added.

The Ducks’ 2025 season ended in a 56-22 loss to the reigning national champions, the Indiana Hoosiers, in Atlanta. They finished their campaign with a 13-2 record. This loss stings even more as the Ducks had initially outgained 378 to 362 in total offense, but Moore gave away three turnovers in the first half.

Against Fernando Mendoza, Moore completed 24 out of 32 passes, threw two touchdowns, and one interception. His Hoosiers counterpart declared for the NFL and was drafted as the No.1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Moore, however, took a different turn.

Dante Moore Is Not Ready For The NFL Yet

Keeping the Peach Bowl loss aside, Dante Moore had a good season otherwise. He led the Oregon Ducks in a 13-2 campaign, passed for 3,565 yards, and threw 30 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. 

It was widely believed that Moore would be the second-most sought-after prospect after national champion Fernando Mendoza. However, in January, the 20-year-old announced he is returning to Eugene for another year.

“When it comes to me just making my decision, of course, I want to feel most prepared and what's best for my situation, especially as a quarterback,” Moore had announced on ESPN.

In a recent conversation with On3, Moore explained his view on why he is in no hurry to declare for the NFL. 

“I don’t have all the resources yet. Of course, when I get to the NFL, someday I still won’t, but overall I feel I can learn so much more this one more year of just being able to play ball,” he told Pete Nakos on May 22. “Playing in the NFL mentally as a quarterback can be challenging, and I know that one day it comes, it’ll be easier because I took my time to learn and be as prepared as possible.” 

A source told On3 that Moore “looked really good” this spring. The Peach Bowl loss may not define the quarterback, but it was certainly a defining moment of his career. 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar