The Oregon Ducks delivered an impressive performance during the 2025 college football campaign, compiling a solid 13-2 overall record. Their journey culminated in a deep run through the expanded College Football Playoff, where they reached the semifinals before suffering a decisive loss to the Indiana Hoosiers, who went on to claim the national championship.
This strong showing highlighted Oregon’s competitiveness in the Big Ten Conference and positioned them as a program on the rise under head coach Dan Lanning.
A major factor in the Ducks’ success was the play of starting quarterback Dante Moore. In his redshirt sophomore year, Moore showcased exceptional efficiency and production, accumulating 3,565 passing yards along with 30 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. He also demonstrated remarkable accuracy by completing 71.8% of his attempts, helping guide the team through a challenging schedule that included key conference matchups and playoff games.
Moore’s standout season elevated his profile significantly among NFL scouts. Heading into the offseason, he was viewed as one of the premier prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, with many projecting him as the second-best quarterback available and potentially the No. 2 overall selection by the New York Jets. Expectations were high that he would forgo his remaining college eligibility and make the leap to the professional level.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Moore announced in mid-January that he would withdraw from the draft process and return to Eugene for his final season with the Ducks. This choice caught many analysts off guard, as the consensus had him firmly in the top tier of draft-eligible players ready to transition to the NFL.
The decision has only amplified discussions about Moore’s potential for 2026.
On3 analyst Clark Brooks placed him at the No. 2 spot among all college football players entering the upcoming year, while designating him as the top quarterback overall. Brooks praised Moore as “pinpoint and precise,” positioning him as a clear frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. Additionally, Moore’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) valuation reached $3 million, ranking him seventh among all college athletes in that category.
Meanwhile, the Texas Longhorns are gearing up for what many see as a redemption arc in 2026. After a 10-3 record in 2025 that fell short of CFP qualification, the program rebounded with a victory in the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines. That performance helped reset expectations, and Texas enters the new season as a legitimate contender for the national title, bolstered by returning talent and strategic additions.
Central to Texas’ offensive hopes is quarterback Arch Manning, who returns as the established starter following a solid debut year as the full-time signal-caller. Manning’s 2025 numbers included more than 3,100 passing yards and a combined total of 36 touchdowns (through the air and on the ground). His development showed steady improvement, particularly in managing games and capitalizing on opportunities.
Texas has further strengthened its receiving corps for the coming year. Transfer-portal acquisition Cam Coleman joins returning standout Ryan Wingo, creating a dynamic group of pass-catchers that should complement Manning’s arm strength and mobility. This reloaded offense positions the Longhorns to challenge elite defenses in the SEC and beyond.
Preseason evaluations have sparked debate over quarterback rankings. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach released his Way-Too-Early 2026 All-America Team, selecting Manning as the starting quarterback. Schlabach described the choice as the “most difficult position” to decide, noting other worthy candidates like Oregon’s Dante Moore, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, Miami’s Darian Mensah, and Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby.
He ultimately favored Manning, writing, “But give me the strong-armed passer with the famous last name who got better and better in Year 1 as a starter.”
Schlabach placed Moore in the “also considered” category at the position, alongside Sayin, reflecting a preference for Manning’s pedigree and late-season momentum despite Moore’s more prolific statistical output in 2025. This selection has fueled conversations about hype versus proven performance heading into the new campaign.
In contrast to Schlabach’s view, NCAA.com’s Stan Becton offered a different perspective in his way-too-early top 25 rankings for 2026. He slotted Oregon at No. 2 overall, citing the Ducks’ strong finish last year and Moore’s return as key drivers. Texas, meanwhile, landed at No. 4, acknowledging their potential but placing them slightly behind Oregon in the preseason hierarchy.
As the 2026 season approaches, both programs boast high expectations. Oregon benefits from continuity at quarterback and a roster built for contention, while Texas relies on Manning’s growth and offensive reinforcements to push toward championship aspirations.
The contrasting preseason narratives surrounding Moore and Manning set the stage for an intriguing battle of elite quarterbacks and title hopefuls.
