After a blowout loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in last season’s CFB Semifinals, University of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is making a change in the way he prepares physically for the new season, and how he’s doing it is quite surprising.
“I’m gaining more weight, getting stronger,” Moore recently revealed. M&F In Chicago where he was celebrating the inaugural launch of EA Sports’ 2027 Madden NFL and college games. “I’m taking care of my body overall. (I’m) doing yoga, stretching and making sure I’m doing good with it. I’m doing yoga twice a week. I’ve lost some weight from lifting weights and eating right, so I’ve been stretching more.”
By adding a little hello to your day to day, Moore, whose ducks 2nd in preseason The ranking shows that their mentality to run for the national championship in the 2026 season is at peak confidence.
“I’m enjoying it more,” says the redshirt junior of this training block. “I’m smiling more, making sure I trust the process, trust my coaching, to definitely get faster and stronger.”
Double whammy on deadlifts and yoga
The 21-year-old, who got emotional while discussing her newfound love for yoga, is committed to taking private lessons to get the one-on-one attention and has no plans to stop when the season starts in August.
“No, whatever I do during the off-season I continue into the season to make sure I’m consistent with everything,” says Moore, who says the new workout has helped his tight hamstrings. “Yes, I love yoga. I make sure I focus and stay engaged in yoga. Especially to be more flexible and to be able to move (and) maneuver better.”
Moore needs that added flexibility after spending more time in the weightroom than he did a year ago. He says his deadlift, about 415, has remained consistent without putting too much stress on his body.
“It’s a big increase,” says the Detroit native. There’s a lot more load on the deadlift, just to be more explosive. Using dumbbells more for my upper body, just like I’ve been doing, especially with my coach (Wilson) Love. He has been dedicated to this process and I really appreciate that.”
studying the best to become the best
Another contribution to his offseason homework is studying film on one of his favorite NFL professionals to get better.
Moore says, “Matthew Stafford.” “His dedication to the game, his anticipation, the way you anticipate throws in certain windows, and he’s been a quarterback in the league for a long time. But overall, he’s just talented and I love seeing how consistent he is.”
And while last year’s loss to the eventual national champions still haunts Moore, this time around he’s put his mind to getting his head in order mentally in hopes of leading his team to a big win.
“I’m getting better mentally in the game,” Moore says. “It’s just about being smart and savvy. But overall, I’ve gotten better mentally just by watching film, seeing my tendencies, what I do well, (and) what I do bad.”
And like every player, Moore admits he has some weaknesses that he’s trying to control.
“Eat!” Moore says, laughing. “I love food. I know I’ll eat anything. It’s my weakness. If I see food, I eat it. Sometimes it may not be good for me – and I know it’s not, but I still want to do it.”
Moore spent the evening with Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams to celebrate being this season’s game cover star along with University of Miami’s Malachi Toney and Ole Miss running back Kevon Lacy. While Moore says he’s not thinking about the Madden “curse” that sometimes comes with being in the Madden spotlight, he can’t believe it’s happening to him and is just trying to live in the moment without thinking too much about this year’s outcome.
“It was always a dream growing up,” Moore says. “I mean, now it’s a dream come true, I’m blessed to be here. But overall, I’m happy to put myself on the map and put the University of Oregon on the map.”
