Oregon WR Dakorien Moore focused on maturity, leadership

Anytime a program signs a five-star recruit, the expectations can be astronomical. The Oregon Ducks held Dakorien Moore in high regard last season, coming to Eugene as the top wideout in the 2026 recruiting class from Texas. Still, there were highs and lows in his freshman season.

After a strong start, scoring two touchdowns and flying high against Oklahoma State, Moore suffered an injury in practice that sidelined him for November, and his impact during the College Football Playoff was less than what Ducks fans had come to expect.

It's been an offseason of reflection for Moore, who returns as one of the Ducks' top receivers for next season, catching passes from Dante Moore under center. Moore's talent as a receiver has never been in question. From his top-end speed to the highlight reel catches, he's everything Oregon has wanted when they signed him.

For Moore, however, the reflection period of the offseason showed how he could be better off the field.

“I’d say I've improved a lot, mainly in my maturity," Moore said in a press conference on Thursday. "Coming in last year, it was a lot of me thinking I'm kind of being picked on a lot. Coming from Texas, I've been in a lot of situations, but it was a lot of situations I've never been put in that I was put in when I got here. So I’m kind of more prepared for them. And being around JMac, EStew, you know, like some of the older guys who was here last year. Just having a good connection, like pushing me through.”

Moore finished his freshman season with 34 catches for 497 yards and scored four total touchdowns, one of which came on the ground. If he was frustrated, it rarely showed on the field, but Moore believes he has only become more confident and grounded in himself this offseason. With a plethora of weapons for the Ducks to use, Moore is seen as a leader, despite still being one of the youngest in the room.

The Ducks are used to having five-star quality talent on their roster. was a former five-star going to Texas A&M, and again, when he entered the portal and came to Oregon. Dante Moore was a former five-star as well. The list goes on, but the commonality between them is that none of them were handed a role right away as they came to Oregon.