Dante Moore weighs NFL decision after a sad night in Atlanta

Dante Moore finished eighth in the nation in passer rating in his first year as a full-time college starter at 20 years old.

Reporters asked him after the College Football Playoff semifinal if he was leaving for the NFL. "I knew that question was coming," he said.

"I'm going to soak this moment up and, most importantly, give my hugs and thank yous to my teammates. But at the end of the day, I don't know my decision yet. I'm going to talk to Coach Lanning and talk to my family and everybody, but at the end of the day I don't want to think about that right now."

This season Moore threw for 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, leading the Ducks to a 13-2 record and two playoff wins. In the 56-22 loss to Indiana in the Peach Bowl he played his worst game since his freshman year at UCLA with three turnovers and several errant throws, double-clutching or slow to read the defense under extreme pressure.

Still, NFL scouts are drooling about his ability to deliver an accurate, catchable ball, his even-keel personality, leadership and intelligence. Though Moore struggled against the Hoosiers, Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen had a game against Oregon in 2017 that was a thousand times worse.

In Laramie that afternoon Allen completed 9-24 for 64 yards and an interception in a 49-13 loss. He's done pretty well since. Oregon sophomore Justin Herbert outplayed him badly, just as Fernando Mendoza lapped Moore in Mercedes Benz Stadium Friday night.

Right now, the NFL is prepared to make Moore a top five draft pick and offer him a contract worth millions. In 2024 Chargers left tackle Joe Alt signed a four-year deal worth $33.2 million with a $20.9 million signing bonus.

Money changes everything, yet it doesn't change the most important things

Add the shoe deals and the car ads, and the Oregon redshirt sophomore could set his family up for life. He's humble and articulate, so he will absolutely nail the Combine and the interviews. Someone will fall in love with him in the draft process. A few of the mock drafts have him going No. 1, which is even more money.

Balanced against all that is Moore's path to success on the field. Right now he has 20 college starts. He's slight at 6-3, 206, and under pressure he's shown moments of brilliance interspersed with panic and a glaring need to improve his pocket presence and recognition.

The Ducks had a dismal time with a focused, experienced Indiana team. Moore's three first half turnovers spotted the Hoosiers 21 points, but it was a team loss, a failure to execute, protect the quarterback or play sound fundamental football. Certainly IU's excellence contributed to that.

One game doesn't change the Detroit, Michigan native's potential or ability to throw a football. Ironically, after the game Fernando Mendoza gave a soliloquy about the Stoics and delayed gratification.

"I just kept telling him Dante I love you boy. I love you," Laloulu said to Brett Taylor of KEZI News. "I really do love you. You ain't got to worry. I'm here no matter what. The bad, the good I'm gonna stick with you."

It's a business in the NFL. That kind of love and loyalty between teammates is harder to find.