After a devastating loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in last season’s CFB semifinals, University of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has been changing up how he’s preparing physically for the new season, and how he’s doing it is quite surprising.
“I’m just pushing more weight, getting stronger,” Moore recently told M&F in Chicago where he was celebrating EA Sports’ Opening Launch for the 2027 Madden NFL and College games. “I’m just overall taking care of my body. [I’m doing] yoga, stretching, and making sure I’m doing good with that. I’m doing yoga twice a week. I put on some weight from lifting and eating right, so I’ve been stretching more.”
By adding a little namaste into his day to day, Moore, whose Ducks are second in preseason rankings, says his mindset going into the 2026 season in what’s expected to be a run for the national championship, at peak confidence.
“I’m enjoying it more,” adds the redshirt junior of this training block. “I’m smiling more, making sure that I’m going to trust the process, trust my coaching, just to get faster and stronger, for sure.”
Doubling Down on Deadlifts—and Yoga
The 21-year-old, who lit up while discussing his new found love for yoga, commits to private lessons to get more one-on-one attention and he doesn’t plan on stopping when the season starts in August.
“No, everything I do during the offseason is what I carry over into the season to make sure I stay consistent on everything,” says Moore, who says the new workout has helped his tight hamstrings. “Yes, I love yoga. I got to make sure I’m focused and locked in. Especially just being able to be more flexible and be able to move [and] maneuver better.”
Moore needs that extra flexibility after spending more time in the weightroom from where he was a year ago. His deadlifts, around 415, he says, have been consistent without placing great strain on his body.
“It’s a big increase,” the Detroit native adds. A lot of more weight on deadlift, just being more explosive. Using dumbbells for my upper body more, just the way I’ve just been doing that, especially with my coach [Wilson] Love. He’s been dedicated to the process, and I really appreciate having him.”
Studying the Best in Order to Be the Best
Another addition to his off-season homework has been studying film on one of his favorite NFL pros in order to get better.
“Matthew Stafford,” says Moore. “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 to watch how consistent he is.”
And while last year’s loss to the eventual national champions still haunts Moore, he’s taken this time to mentally get his head right in hopes of leading his team to a big run.
“I’m just mentally getting better at the game,” Moore says. “It’s about just being smarter and wiser. But overall, I’ve gotten better mentally by just watching film, watching my tendencies to see what I do great at, [and] what I do bad at.”
And like every player, Moore admits he has weaknesses he’s trying to get under control, too.
“Food!” Moore says with a laugh. “I love food. I know I’ll eat anything. It’s is my weakness. If I see food, I’m going to eat it. Sometimes it can’t be good for me—and I know it isn’t, but I still want to do it.”
Moore, along with University of Miami’s Malachi Toney and Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy spent the evening alongside Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams to celebrate being this season’s game cover stars. While Moore says he’s not thinking about the sometimes Madden “curse” that comes with taking the Madden spotlight, he can’t believe it’s happening to him and trying to just live in the moment without putting too much thought on the outcome of this year.
“As a kid it was always a dream,” says Moore. “I mean, now for it to be a dream come true, I’m just blessed to be here. But overall, I’m glad to put myself on the map and put the University of Oregon on the map.”
