National expert: 'I expect Dante Moore to be a Heisman finalist'

Andrew Nemec

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National expert: 'I expect Dante Moore to be a Heisman finalist' image

For the past two seasons, the Oregon Ducks have entered the season with an experienced, highly-touted quarterback leading the charge.

Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon and went on to become the two most experienced quarterbacks in the history of the NCAA.

Dan Lanning won't have that level of comfort at quarterback coming into this season.

At least, not on paper.

Oregon will hand the reins to former five-star quarterback prospect and former UCLA starter Dante Moore, who transferred to Oregon in December 2023.

But while Moore had an uneven freshman campaign at UCLA before sitting behind Gabriel last season, many are still expecting big things from the highly-touted arm.

In fact, On3's J.D. PicKell has sky-high expectations for Moore, projecting him as a Heisman Trophy finalist this season.

"My expectation for him is the expectation that's been set there from Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, I expect Dante Moore to be a Heisman finalist," he said. "I do. It sounds like we are asking a lot of the guy. Are we?" 

PicKell went on to explain that Moore has had time to learn Oregon's Will Stein-led electric offense and, from a scouting standout, is every bit as toolsy as Nix or Gabriel.

Throw in Oregon's ever-accumulating talent via the recruiting trail and transfer portal and the recipe is there for a big season from Moore.

Can he deliver?

That remains to be seen.

But the buzz this offseason has been loud.

Freshman Dakorien Moore predicted Moore would win the Heisman this season, and sources within the program have heaped significant praise upon the former five-star recruit for his intelligence as a passer and team leader.

In other words, all the pieces are there for Moore to have a big first season as "the guy" in Eugene.

Will he deliver?

Oregon fans won't have to wait much longer to find out. 

Andrew Nemec

Andrew Nemec has covered high school sports and the recruiting landscape for more than a decade, with an emphasis on the former and current Pac-12 footprint. Nemec, who hosts his own radio show on ESPN-affiliate 1080 The FAN in Portland, Oregon, is a graduate of the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication.