Speculation surrounding Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s future is heating up following news that Ducks backup Austin Novosad has entered the transfer portal.
With Novosad previously viewed as the next in line and a legitimate contender for the starting job coming into this season, his departure has fueled the belief that Moore could return to Eugene to develop his game further rather than declare for the NFL Draft early.
Transfer Fuels Dante Moore’s Return to Oregon
Novosad’s portal entry clears a significant piece of Oregon’s quarterback depth chart. He was expected to be a central part of the Ducks’ succession plan, and his exit suggests clarity may be forming behind the scenes at the position. That clarity increasingly suggests that Moore will remain in Eugene for another season.
From a financial standpoint, Moore has little incentive to rush a decision. According to On3, Moore carries an NIL valuation of $2.3 million with a projected roster value of $2.1 million. His NIL valuation ranks 14th nationally and is the highest on Oregon’s roster.
If Moore can continue earning seven figures while refining his craft against elite competition, the college route remains both viable and lucrative.
On the field, Moore’s trajectory has only strengthened his draft stock. Despite Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza winning the Heisman and Alabama’s Ty Simpson producing a late-season surge, Moore has arguably been the most impressive quarterback in college football.
The redshirt sophomore has become a fixture in the top five of mock drafts and is widely viewed as one of the premier prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Case for One More Season Skipping the NFL Draft
Many evaluators believe patience could pay off. A standard benchmark for quarterbacks entering the NFL is 25-plus career starts, a number Moore would narrowly miss if Oregon were to reach the national championship this season.
At just 20 years old, Moore has time on his side. The quarterback position demands maturity, leadership, and preparation, traits that often sharpen with additional experience.
Statistically, Moore has been excellent but not complete. His PFSN QB Impact Grade of 85.9 ranks 22nd nationally, underscoring both his high-level play and room for growth. He has thrown for 2,733 yards (43rd nationally) and 24 passing touchdowns (18th), production that could take another leap with an additional season under center.
Oregon’s offensive outlook further strengthens the argument for a return. While the Ducks may be without star tight end Kenyon Sadiq, PFSN’s TE1 and a top-12 overall prospect, the receiving corps is expected to remain intact.
Malik Benson, Dakorien Moore, and Jeremiah McClellan are all projected to return, each carrying PFSN wide receiver impact grades of 76 or higher. Combined with an offense that posted a top-10 offensive impact grade of 86.8, Moore would step back into an ideal developmental environment.
The primary counterweight remains the 2026 NFL Draft landscape. Moore currently sits as QB1 and a top-four overall prospect on the PFSN Consensus Big Board. That positioning is difficult to pass up, especially with the potential to be selected inside the top five.
Still, Novosad’s transfer appears to be the clearest signal yet that Oregon is bracing for another season with Dante Moore at the controls. Whether Moore ultimately returns or declares, the Ducks are aligned for success, but momentum increasingly suggests his college chapter may not be finished just yet.
