Our Oregon football program took a massive blow this offseason, losing Evan Stewart for the foreseeable future as WR1. We took some time post-injury to evaluate who would step up as WR1 now, since Stewart was a massive downfield asset for stretching defenses and allotting Dillon Gabriel time in the pocket last year.
Dakorien Moore is a reasonable answer down the road, just maybe not this season. So what’s his ceiling? How much should we temper our expectations of Dakorien in his first season as a Duck, as he’s thrust into a more crucial role? Our Mr. FishDuck took a break from his fun at Verde casino to give his thoughts to me about this talented new wide-out.
Ceiling: 796 yards, 11 touchdowns
Realistic without reaching. If Dakorien is able to light up the stat sheet: GREAT. I’ll be happy to be wrong. But these are the absolute biggest numbers I’d expect of him as a freshman.
Tez Johnson did miss some time last year, but even he only managed 898 yards & 10 touchdowns as the clear No. 1 option in 2024’s offense. That said, Dante Moore should offer another element to how this offense is constructed than Gabriel had this past season, & I love his potential to elevate the deep ball in the Oregon passing game.
Dakorien Moore catches a tough pass over veteran safety Dillon Thieneman. (Photo by Gary Breedlove)
If (Dakorien) Moore could get close to Tez’s senior numbers in year one, I’d see that as a huge win for Dan Lanning’s staff. If he produces even 80% of a Jeremiah Smith-type freshman season, the Ducks will probably be tight in the National Championship race. Dakorien’s outstanding production (4,113 yards, 48 touchdowns, & 204 catches) against the best high school competition in Texas should prepare him well to get his legs under him in 2025.
Regardless of the yardage, though, I do see that touchdown number being the biggest x-factor for his season. I would love to see him become the go-to redzone threat by the end of the season. Plausible?
Bottom line: I need to see the Moore2Moore/HaveSomeMoore/Dak&Dante Connection in action. What do you think the 2025 stat line will look like? Does Dakorien have a real chance at leading the team in yards by the end of the season? What game do you see Dakorien catching fire this season? Let us know in the FishDuck Forum.
Go Ducks!
Alex Heining
Los Angeles, California
Top Photo By: Gary Breedlove
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Alex Heining is an Oregon alumni from the graduate class of 2021. After studying sports business and media studies, he has moved into the field of digital marketing as a copywriter and content manager in the Los Angeles area. Still, he loves his Ducks and goes to local high school games all over the Los Angeles and Orange County area to check out new recruits of the future (and a SoFi game or two with the pros). On any given Saturday, expect to find him doing martial arts, playing the guitar, or screaming at the tv over a missed holding penalty.