College football received bombshell news on Wednesday afternoon, as Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore announced that he’ll forego the 2026 NFL draft and return to the program for one more season.
The decision sent shockwaves throughout the sport, as NFL draft boards — much of which likely had Moore within their top 10 — will now remove Moore from the picture while the Ducks are set to enter the season as an inner circle title contender.
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Moore’s return also shakes up the Heisman Trophy picture, as he showed that he has the talent to claim the trophy during his first season as the Ducks‘ starter. He was the leader in odds in late September after Oregon’s thrilling double overtime victory in which he threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning go-ahead score.
After revealing himself as one of the top players in the nation in 2025, is Moore, like the Ducks are to win a national title, considered an inner circle contender for the most prestigious award in college football?
Let’s check out where Moore lands in the early Heisman Trophy odds, per FanDuel Sportsbook, ahead of the 2026 season — and it might surprise you.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) takes the field before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 248-for-404, 3,163 yards, 26 TDs, 7 INTs / / 92 rushes, 399 yards, 10 TDs
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CJ Carr — Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+800)
Aug 31, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 195-for-293, 2,741 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs
Jeremiah Smith — Ohio State Buckeyes (+1100)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs for a touchdown behind the block of tight end Max Klare (86) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. Ohio State won 37-9.
2025 Stats: 87 receptions, 1,243 yards, 12 TDs
Julian Sayin — Ohio State Buckeyes (+1100)
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) drops back to pass during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025.
2025 Stats: 301-for-391, 3,610 yards, 32 TDs, 8 INTs
Nov 29, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) throws the ball during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 272-for-413, 3,472 yards, 29 TDs, 13 INTs (TCU)
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 269-for-386, 2,894 yards, 24 TDs, 5 INTs / / 129 rushes, 462 yards, 10 TDs
Sam Leavitt — LSU Tigers (+1300)
Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) against the Houston Cougars in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 145-for-239, 1,628 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs / / 73 rushes, 306 yards, 5 TDs (Arizona State)
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Dante Moore — Oregon Ducks (+1300)
Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws the ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 296-for-412, 3,565 yards, 30 TDs, 10 INTs
Jayden Maiava — USC Trojans (+1700)
Nov 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) moves out to pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 265-for-403, 3,711 yards, 24 TDs, 10 INTs / / 54 rushes, 157 yards, 6 TDs
Marcel Reed — Texas A&M Aggies (+1700)
Nov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 234-for-377, 3,169 yards, 25 TDs, 12 INTs / / 104 rushes, 493 yards, 6 TDs
Brenden Sorsby — Texas Tech Red Raiders (+2200)
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) runs the ball to the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a NCAA men’s football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Baylor Bears, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Bearcats won 41-20.
2025 Stats: 207-for-336, 2,800 yards, 27 TDs, 5 INTs / / 100 rushes, 580 yards, 9 TDs (Cincinnati)
Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) gets past South Carolina State Bulldogs linebacker Jordan Franklin (10) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 178-for-293, 2,437 yards, 13 TDs, 8 INTs / / 149 rushes, 270 yards, 5 TDs
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Malachi Toney — Miami Hurricanes (+2500)
Miami Hurricanes receiver Malachi Toney (10) catches a 36-yard touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8, 2026.
2025 Stats: 99 receptions, 1,089 yards, 9 TDs / / 23 rushes, 113 yards, 1 TD
Bryce Underwood — Michigan Wolverines (+3000)
Sep 13, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) passes in the first half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
2025 Stats: 202-for-335, 2,428 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs / / 88 rushes, 392 yards, 6 TDs
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Where Oregon Ducks’ Dante Moore lands in 2026 Heisman Trophy odds
