Dante Moore finally looked like the guy everyone promised he would be. If you’ve followed the soap opera that is the Oregon Ducks quarterback room over the last few years, you know the vibe in Eugene is usually "portal or bust."
Dan Lanning has a type. He likes experienced, older men who have already taken their lumps elsewhere. Bo Nix came from Auburn and became a legend. Dillon Gabriel came from Oklahoma and kept the machine humming. But for the oregon ducks qb 2025 season, the script flipped.
Instead of grabbing a thirty-year-old veteran with three degrees, Oregon bet on the kid they’d been grooming in the shadows. Dante Moore, the former five-star who once struggled through a chaotic freshman year at UCLA, took the reins after sitting behind Gabriel for a year.
It worked. Honestly, it worked better than almost anyone expected.
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The Dante Moore Era: 2025 Stats and Reality
Look at the numbers. They don't lie, but they don't tell the whole story either. Moore finished the 2025 campaign with 3,565 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He completed nearly 72 percent of his passes. In an offense designed by Will Stein—before he took the Kentucky job—Moore looked comfortable. He wasn't just a "talent" anymore; he was a pilot.
He led the Ducks to a 13-2 record. They made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Peach Bowl. Yeah, they got handled by Indiana and their superstar Fernando Mendoza, but getting that far with a redshirt sophomore under center is no small feat.
People forget how much pressure was on this kid. Replacing Gabriel and Nix is like following a headline act at Coachella. You're expected to be perfect. Moore wasn't perfect—he threw 10 interceptions, including a brutal pick-six on his first pass in the semifinals—but he showed a level of "bounce-back" that Oregon fans hadn't seen in a young starter for a long time.
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The QB Room Hierarchy in 2025
- The Starter: Dante Moore (Redshirt Sophomore)
- The Heir Apparent: Akili Smith Jr. (Freshman)
- The Depth: Brock Thomas and Austin Novosad
- The Wildcard: Dylan Raiola (Transfer from Nebraska, redshirting)
Why Most People Got the oregon ducks qb 2025 Situation Wrong
The biggest misconception heading into the season was that Lanning had to go back to the portal for a starter. The rumors were everywhere. Fans were tracking flight paths from every major airport in the South, hoping to see a big-name veteran landing in Eugene.
Lanning stayed patient. He knew what he had in Moore. By letting Moore sit and learn in 2024, Oregon avoided the "instant gratification" trap that ruins so many young arms.
Then there’s the Dylan Raiola factor. That late transfer from Nebraska sent shockwaves through the fan base. People thought, "Oh, Moore's done." But Raiola came in knowing he was going to redshirt and heal up after that nasty fibula injury he suffered against USC. It was a massive flex by the Oregon coaching staff: having a potential #1 overall pick sitting on the bench while another potential #1 overall pick starts.
The Akili Smith Jr. Factor
You can't talk about the Ducks without mentioning the legacy. Akili Smith Jr. joined the program with a 6-foot-5 frame and the weight of his father’s jersey on his back. While he didn't see the field much in 2025, his presence in the room changed the dynamic.
He’s the sixth-ranked pocket passer in his class for a reason. He’s huge. He’s got a cannon. Having him develop behind Moore gave the Ducks a "safety net" that most programs would kill for.
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It’s rare to see a locker room with this much ego and talent actually stay together. Credit goes to Lanning for that. He’s built a culture where guys like Moore and Raiola actually talk to each other. Moore even mentioned on SportsCenter recently how he wanted to give Raiola the same resources Dillon Gabriel gave him. That’s not normal in the NIL era.
What’s Next for the Oregon Offense?
Now that the 2025 season is in the rearview, the focus shifts. Dante Moore just announced he's coming back for 2026, which is insane considering he was projected as a top-five NFL pick. He’s choosing development over a $50 million contract.
Actionable Insights for Ducks Fans:
- Watch the Offensive Coordinator Search: With Will Stein gone, the new hire will determine if Moore hits that "Heisman" ceiling next year.
- Raiola's Health: Keep an eye on spring ball reports. If Raiola is 100%, the "competition" isn't a competition—it's a two-headed monster.
- The Running Game: Oregon struggled to hit 4.0 yards per carry in some big games last year. The QB is only as good as the play-action threat.
The oregon ducks qb 2025 story wasn't just about one guy. It was about a program finally proving they could develop their own talent instead of just buying it. Moore proved he belonged. Raiola proved he was willing to wait. And Oregon proved they aren't going anywhere.