The 2023 recruiting class was widely seen as a loaded class, especially at quarterback. Most scouts had somewhere from 4 to 7 quarterbacks with five-star grades, including the likes of Arch Manning, Nico Iamaleava, Jackson Arnold, Jaden Rashada, and Malachai Nelson. While that class has been largely disappointing, one name stands out above the rest… Dante Moore.
Moore was almost unanimously seen as a five-star recruit, and he was almost unanimously viewed as a top-five recruit. After his incredible high school career in Detroit, Michigan, where he went 40-11 as a starter, Moore was one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits.
Originally, Moore committed to Oregon, but after a late and heavy push, Moore elected to flip his commitment to UCLA. The Bruins had former NFL coach Chip Kelly, and Arizona State just hired former Oregon offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kenny Dillingham in the 2023 offseason. The coaching changes, combined with an opportunity for early play time, helped lead Moore to flip his commitment to UCLA at the last minute.
Moore played as a true freshman for the Bruins, but behind a shaky offensive line and some incompetent play calling, he struggled mightily. His middling 53.5% completion percentage, as well as his eleven touchdown to nine interception ratio, scared scouts and raised concerns surrounding Moore’s future. He also took 25 sacks behind one of the worst offensive lines in the nation, and after Chip Kelly elected to step down in the following offseason, Moore entered the portal and re-committed to Oregon.
As a Sophomore at Oregon, Moore only attempted eight total passes, sitting behind Dillon Gabriel for nearly all of the 2024 season. The Ducks hoped a season on the bench behind a veteran QB like Gabriel would be helpful for Moore after his disastrous start at UCLA. After the Browns selected Gabriel in the 2025 NFL draft, Moore was seen as the successor to become the starter for Oregon in 2025, something that became a reality after Dan Lanning announced Moore was the starter in early August.
In his first few games, Moore was impressive, even posting a 305-yard 4-touchdown game against Oregon State in week four. Then last weekend, Moore faced his first true competition against #3 Penn State in a classic State College whiteout game. In a true “put up or shut up” game for Moore, he blew me away, going 29/39 with 248 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions, looking perfectly composed in one of college football’s harshest environments.
Moore had been graded as my top quarterback since week two, but the Penn State game solidified him as my top quarterback and a top 10 player in the 2026 class. There is no single calling card for Moore, as he really is a consistent, accurate, and confident quarterback who can do it all for his offense. His 6’3 frame is perfect for the NFL, and while his arm is more precise than powerful, he has plenty of mobility to create offense and give his receivers time to get open. Moore currently has a 14-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, keeping the ball out of danger while still pushing it downfield for over 1200 yards.
My scouting report for Moore consists of a solid frame, good athletic ability, a reliable arm, and a great feel for the game to use anticipation to set his offense up for success. I have compared Moore to players like CJ Stroud and (current) Sam Darnold, who do not stand out for elite physicals, but do not have any major flaws. When you watch the tape for Moore – specifically this season at Oregon – you will struggle to poke any true holes in his game that you can exploit, something that NFL coaches love to see.
I currently have Moore projected to be the number one overall pick in the draft, something I think we will start to see more and more across the NFL community. With inconsistent play from several other top QBs in the 2026 draft class, Moore has stepped up to the plate and has hit every benchmark scouts set for him. I expect him to declare for the draft this season and to have a long, successful career.
