Dante Moore receives high honor from NFL scouts, executives

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Oregon QB Dante Moore receives high honor from NFL scouts, executives

By Steven Kubitza | Last updated Sep 12, 2026 1:47 PM ET

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore decided to return to college this season instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft. That is a gamble, but it's less risky in the current NIL era.

His Ducks enter the weekend ranked No. 6 in the nation with a road game at Oklahoma State on the schedule for Saturday. Oregon is favored by more than three touchdowns, thanks in large part to Moore.

ESPN recently conducted its annual poll featuring NFL scouts and executives, asking them which college quarterback will go first off the board in the upcoming draft. Moore was favored in a landslide.

Dante Moore leads 2027 QB class

ESPN's Pete Thamel shared the results of 25 scouts and executives. Fourteen voted Moore as the top quarterback in the class, while Arch Manning showed up next with seven votes.

Dante Moore is QB1 pic.twitter.com/3Yf61S25Bp
— FD (@flooduck) September 12, 2026

Moore opened the 2026 with a hard-fought 34-27 win over a tough Boise State squad. He threw three touchdown passes, zero interceptions and finished with 378 passing yards.

The 21-year-old is now in his second season as the Ducks' full-time starter and was arguably set to be the second quarterback off the board this past draft behind Fernando Mendoza.

He instead decided to head back to school, earn a nice NIL payday and improve his game at a top program. Otherwise, he may currently be a member of the lowly New York Jets. Being projected to go first off the board could still mean he ends up with the Jets as well.

Thamel's article notes there will be 20 scouts in attendance at Oregon's game Saturday, mostly focused on Moore. He will be playing in front of NFL personnel all season long, and continued strong performances will only cement his status as the top quarterback in this class.

Of course, a rough performance could lead to someone like Manning taking over, as the season is still just getting underway.

Steven Kubitza

Steven Kubitza is a Cleveland, Ohio, native with over a decade in the news industry. His work has been featured on Yahoo Sports, FOX Sports, and FanSided, among other outlets. He is a lifelong Browns fan who is convinced the team will turn things around at some point in the next 50 years

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