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You wouldn't know it from watching him dazzle inside Autzen Stadium, but Dakorien Moore felt the pressure around him. A five-star wide receiver playing for the Oregon Ducks comes with lofty expectations, especially as a freshman.
Moore started the season strong before a midseason injury slowed his progress. Still, the speed and ball skills were evident from the jump after he hauled in a 65-yard touchdown pass from Dante Moore against Oklahoma State. A fitting "Welcome to Autzen" moment for the freshman to bring the crowd to a roar.
This season, Moore has some significant competition in the speed department. Evan Stewart is back and feeling more explosive than ever. UAB transfer Iverson Hooks is incredibly quick. Freshmen Gatlin Bair and Jalen Lott are likely to get snaps at some point this season with the intent of blowing the roof off of opposing secondaries.
Now a sophomore, with a debut on the track at Hayward Field under his belt as well, Moore believes he and the Ducks' impressive collection of pass-catchers will put the country on notice this season.
“One thing I’m gonna say is if our football team was a track team, we would make it to nationals in the 4×100m relay, like for sure," Moore said at Oregon's media day. "So that should just tell you how fast we are. Other than that, we got Dante Moore in the backfield at quarterback with Sonic (Dierre Hill Jr.) and Knuckles (Jordon Davison) at running back. It’s gonna be a lot of fun seeing how versatile our offense can be this year.”
Moore thinks he will be "one of the best receivers in the nation" this season. Last year, he made 34 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns, although the second half of the season was marred by injury. Taking the next step will not only require Moore to be available more often, but to shed some of the nerves that he felt a year ago.
Some of those nerves came not from the high expectations of the fans, but rather the pressure Moore placed upon himself to set a standard for Ducks receivers for years to come.
“My first year here, I wanted to make history, be legendary, the things that we were preaching to our team," Moore said. "So being that I didn’t accomplish that, it was already set on my mind. No days off. We need to get right back to it, so instantly from that day, I was by myself working. That next day, as soon as we got back, just because it meant that much to me."
During the offseason, Moore worked to get healthy and find a way to stay healthy during the season. After stepping away from the track as a freshman to focus on football, he returned to the long jump event, reuniting with his passion in another sport.
He was part of Oregon's contingent that made the trip across the world to Tokyo, where he bonded with his teammates over the game they play in a unique environment.
Now, the side quests are over. He's no longer the new guy on campus. Everyone still knows his name, but only based on potential. With fall camp beginning on Wednesday, football is the sole focus. This year, he intends to give Oregon fans a new reason to remember his name.
“I would say I’m way more confident," Moore said. "Last year I had them freshman jitters just going out there, not knowing what to expect. But as the season went on, of course you get more comfortable being out there. This offseason I’ve learned a lot, been around a lot of great players in the league and in college. Just learning everything that I can, I feel like I’m way more confident and comfortable just being on the field in general.”
Moore won't have to do it alone, with a stable of receivers including Stewart, Hooks and Jeremiah McClellan expected to command sizable roles out wide early on. But make no mistake, the Moore-to-Moore connection will take the spotlight this season. There is still time for Moore to have the legendary season for the Ducks that he has dreamed about.
Dante Moore said at Big Ten media days that he expects Dakorien Moore to "have more smiles" on the field this season, breaking away from his serious and focused approach a year ago. A couple of touchdown catches against Boise State in the season opener might do the trick.
While championship pressure will build, there is less to stress about for the sophomore receiver. Now knowing what to expect and trusting the pieces of the puzzle around him, it's just football.
“Just knowing what I trained for; to be the best," Moore said. "I train like that, and I put it in my mind so I’m really praying that’s the outcome I get.”
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Dakorien Moore shakes off 'freshman jitters,' reveals 2026 expectation
Continue reading...
Moore started the season strong before a midseason injury slowed his progress. Still, the speed and ball skills were evident from the jump after he hauled in a 65-yard touchdown pass from Dante Moore against Oklahoma State. A fitting "Welcome to Autzen" moment for the freshman to bring the crowd to a roar.
This season, Moore has some significant competition in the speed department. Evan Stewart is back and feeling more explosive than ever. UAB transfer Iverson Hooks is incredibly quick. Freshmen Gatlin Bair and Jalen Lott are likely to get snaps at some point this season with the intent of blowing the roof off of opposing secondaries.
Now a sophomore, with a debut on the track at Hayward Field under his belt as well, Moore believes he and the Ducks' impressive collection of pass-catchers will put the country on notice this season.
“One thing I’m gonna say is if our football team was a track team, we would make it to nationals in the 4×100m relay, like for sure," Moore said at Oregon's media day. "So that should just tell you how fast we are. Other than that, we got Dante Moore in the backfield at quarterback with Sonic (Dierre Hill Jr.) and Knuckles (Jordon Davison) at running back. It’s gonna be a lot of fun seeing how versatile our offense can be this year.”
Moore thinks he will be "one of the best receivers in the nation" this season. Last year, he made 34 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns, although the second half of the season was marred by injury. Taking the next step will not only require Moore to be available more often, but to shed some of the nerves that he felt a year ago.
Some of those nerves came not from the high expectations of the fans, but rather the pressure Moore placed upon himself to set a standard for Ducks receivers for years to come.
“My first year here, I wanted to make history, be legendary, the things that we were preaching to our team," Moore said. "So being that I didn’t accomplish that, it was already set on my mind. No days off. We need to get right back to it, so instantly from that day, I was by myself working. That next day, as soon as we got back, just because it meant that much to me."
During the offseason, Moore worked to get healthy and find a way to stay healthy during the season. After stepping away from the track as a freshman to focus on football, he returned to the long jump event, reuniting with his passion in another sport.
He was part of Oregon's contingent that made the trip across the world to Tokyo, where he bonded with his teammates over the game they play in a unique environment.
Now, the side quests are over. He's no longer the new guy on campus. Everyone still knows his name, but only based on potential. With fall camp beginning on Wednesday, football is the sole focus. This year, he intends to give Oregon fans a new reason to remember his name.
“I would say I’m way more confident," Moore said. "Last year I had them freshman jitters just going out there, not knowing what to expect. But as the season went on, of course you get more comfortable being out there. This offseason I’ve learned a lot, been around a lot of great players in the league and in college. Just learning everything that I can, I feel like I’m way more confident and comfortable just being on the field in general.”
Moore won't have to do it alone, with a stable of receivers including Stewart, Hooks and Jeremiah McClellan expected to command sizable roles out wide early on. But make no mistake, the Moore-to-Moore connection will take the spotlight this season. There is still time for Moore to have the legendary season for the Ducks that he has dreamed about.
Dante Moore said at Big Ten media days that he expects Dakorien Moore to "have more smiles" on the field this season, breaking away from his serious and focused approach a year ago. A couple of touchdown catches against Boise State in the season opener might do the trick.
While championship pressure will build, there is less to stress about for the sophomore receiver. Now knowing what to expect and trusting the pieces of the puzzle around him, it's just football.
“Just knowing what I trained for; to be the best," Moore said. "I train like that, and I put it in my mind so I’m really praying that’s the outcome I get.”
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Dakorien Moore shakes off 'freshman jitters,' reveals 2026 expectation
Continue reading...
