Dante Moore Should Have Declared — The Money Made Sense
Nate Tice
Money-wise, too, pick 22, makes, I think in the draft, would make at least $4 million a year. I think 3.8. And that's the first year contract. And that's why Moore was interesting to me because monetarily, economically, actually, it would make more sense if you think you're going to be a top 20 pick, you would make more money over four years, potentially five, if they pick up the option, or are you taking your one-year guaranteed money?
Context
Nate Tice's contrarian-ish take on Dante Moore returning to Oregon: monetarily, declaring made more sense. Top-20 pick at ~$3.8-4M/year over four years (with potential fifth-year option) > one year of guaranteed NIL money.
Football-wise Nate gets why he came back (more reps, learning from a known offense). But Oregon's OC left, so it's not even the same offense in 2026. The internal promotion adds uncertainty.
Moore's blemishes that showed up in 2025: too-quick checkdowns under pressure, default to safe answers on unfamiliar concepts. Plays he was comfortable with (e.g., four verts vs. Rutgers) — pushed it.