After the 2025 college football season, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza declared for the NFL Draft. He became the No. 1 overall pick and emerged as one of college football’s biggest surprises. However, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore did not join him on draft night.
Moore had the opportunity to enter the NFL and was considered a strong candidate to become a top-five draft selection. Instead, he chose to return to Oregon for one final season in pursuit of a national championship.
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CBS Sports provided insight into Moore’s mindset after he made the surprising decision.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore walks off the field during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
“‘As soon as that happened, I turned my phone off and went to go golf,’ Moore said at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago this week, grinning. ‘Probably the best thing I had done that day.’ Only Moore would handle walking away from a potential $55 million NFL contract the same way most people handle a bad week at work,” CBS Sports reported.
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Moore made his decision and is now embracing the opportunity in front of him. It could become one of the most beneficial choices a recent NFL prospect has made. The NIL era has changed the landscape, allowing top college football players to avoid rushing to the NFL.
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Instead, players like Moore can continue developing their game while earning significant money at the collegiate level. Before NIL opportunities existed, Moore may have been more inclined to capitalize on his elevated draft stock.
Dante Moore — Oregon (QB)
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the fourth quarter the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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Now, Moore will have another year of starting experience while attempting to lead Oregon to a national championship. The Ducks have taken another step closer in each of their last two College Football Playoff appearances.
Oregon fans will now hope Moore’s decision to bypass the NFL Draft pays off with a championship. If he can accomplish that goal, he could enter the 2027 NFL Draft conversation as a legitimate candidate for the No. 1 overall pick.
Moore could have raised his draft stock and positioned himself for an even bigger payday. Can he take another step forward during his senior season?
