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ESPN breaks down what went right for the Oregon Ducks this offseason
TL;DR
The Oregon Ducks retained quarterback Dante Moore, a potential No. 1 NFL draft pick, opting to gain more experience instead. This decision positions the Ducks as strong contenders for a national title despite losing several players to the NFL and transfer portal.
Key points
- Dante Moore retained as quarterback for Oregon Ducks
- Moore's decision boosts Ducks' national title hopes
- Seven players drafted into the NFL from Oregon
- Ducks made strategic moves in the transfer portal
- Roster includes many blue-chip recruits
Mentioned in this story
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Oregon DucksDante Moore
If all the Oregon Ducks did this offseason was retain quarterback Dante Moore, it very well could've been considered a win. If he declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, he was expected to be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick. If he wasn't picked first, he almost certainly would've been taken by the quarterback-needy New York Jets at No. 2.
Despite millions and millions of guaranteed money on the table (between $52.1 and $54.6 million as the second overall pick to be exact, per Spotrac), Moore decided to return to Eugene to gain one more year of starting experience and make a run at a national title.
His announcement immediately put the Ducks smack dab in the middle of the title conversation despite the loss of a handful of players via the transfer portal. Seven former Oregon standouts were drafted into the NFL as well, adding to the talent pool heading out the door.
But in the wake of those departures, head coach Dan Lanning and his staff made shrewd moves in the portal themselves, adding to an already talented and stacked roster. That's simply what happens when the roster is made up of dozens of blue-chip recruits.
The chips fell so well that the Ducks' offseason ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten, falling just behind No. 1 Indiana. Here's what ESPN's Eli Lederman, Max Olsen and Adam Rittenburg had to say about what went right for Oregon over the past few months.
"Oregon retained the core of a team set to challenge for the program's first national title," they wrote. "QuarterbackĀ Dante MooreĀ bypassed a lofty NFL draft spot for one more year in Eugene, and his patient career path helped the Ducks land his likely replacement in Nebraska transfer Raiola. Oregon once again did not lose a projected starter to the portal, while returning its entire starting defensive line, and wide receiverĀ , an NFL prospect who missed all of last season because of a knee injury, is also coming back. [Koi] Perich, a two-time All-Big Ten selection at , headlined a transfer group that includes Bennett, a Yale transfer, and Ohio State cornerbackĀ . Oregon signed the No. 2 recruiting class, featuring Iheanacho, Harrison and several key additions on the defensive front and secondary."
Q&A
Why did Dante Moore decide to return to Oregon instead of entering the NFL Draft?
Dante Moore chose to return to Oregon to gain more starting experience and pursue a national title, despite the potential for a lucrative NFL contract.
How many players from the Oregon Ducks were drafted into the NFL this offseason?
Seven former Oregon standouts were drafted into the NFL this offseason.
What moves did the Oregon Ducks make in the transfer portal this offseason?
The Ducks made strategic additions in the transfer portal to bolster their already talented roster, compensating for the losses of several key players.
