The backup quarterback is the player a team never wants to have to use, but for the times when the backup’s number is called, it’s comforting to have a second capable shot-caller waiting in the wings.
The Oregon Ducks are one of a handful of teams to have that luxury: an elite starting quarterback, ready to challenge for the Heisman, understudied by Dante Moore — one of college football’s top young gunslingers. 247Sports published a list on Tuesday of the top backup QBs in college football this year, ranking Moore eighth.
Moore’s position is a bit unique on this list because his only prior college experience is as a starter. As a freshman last year, Moore started most of UCLA’s games, which proved to be a challenge he wasn’t ready for. His talent has never been in question, but his need for experience became clear.
This need for experience and development was apparent to Moore as well. After entering the transfer portal, Moore made it clear that a starting spot was not a priority for him, a sentiment contrary to a year before when Moore flipped his high school commitment from Oregon to UCLA after Bo Nix announced he would return to Eugene in 2023.
A few weeks ahead of the 2024 season, there’s no doubt Dillon Gabriel will be Oregon’s week 1 starter, but that could be the best thing for Moore. A year spent sitting behind a Heisman contender and taking control of the Oregon Ducks offense in 2025 as a redshirt sophomore — older and wiser — doesn’t sound like a bad two-year plan to me.
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