Oregon’s Dante Moore and Dan Lanning Earn Top Preseason Honors

What Happened

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was named CBS Sports’ preseason Player of the Year for 2026, while head coach Dan Lanning was selected as preseason Coach of the Year. Moore is returning for his second season as Oregon’s starter after completing 71.8 percent of his passes for 30 touchdowns and a 163.72 passer rating in 2025. He also ranked 15th nationally in QBR and produced six games with at least three passing touchdowns. Oregon’s season ended with a 56-22 loss to Indiana in the CFP semifinals. Moore’s two losses as a starter came against Indiana, where he totaled 471 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Why It Matters

• Moore’s return gives Oregon the same starting quarterback who ranked among the national leaders in completion rate, touchdowns and passer rating in 2025.
• The Indiana matchups remain the measuring point: Moore completed 62 percent of his passes across those losses, with three interceptions.
• Lanning’s preseason honor puts Oregon’s coaching performance alongside Moore’s production as the Ducks enter the 2026 season under heavy expectations.

THE PATE STATE READ

Moore earned the honor because the regular-season production is real. The harder assignment is carrying that level into the biggest games, where Indiana forced a different result twice in 2025. This moves Oregon’s preseason standing a spot, not the earth. The watch item is simple: when the opponent matches the stakes, does Moore keep the ball out of danger and finish the drive? If he does, the Player of the Year label has evidence behind it. If he doesn’t, the 56-22 semifinal loss stays attached to the conversation.(Josh has not yet commented.)

What's Next

• Week One of the 2026 season — Oregon opens its schedule with Moore entering the year as the preseason Player of the Year.
• The 2026 season — Oregon’s first major test will show whether Moore’s production carries into high-stakes games.
• The 2027 NFL Draft cycle — Moore’s performance in 2026 will shape his next draft evaluation.