Is UCLA football the biggest threat to flip Dante Moore?

UCLA football hosted five-star QB and Oregon commitment Dante Moore for an official visit this past weekend. Could the Bruins flip the 2023 quarterback? 

The UCLA football program is in need of a new starting quarterback and if everything works out correctly, there’s a chance it could be Dante Moore.

Moore is a five-star quarterback from Detroit, Michigan if you aren’t familiar with him. He’s ranked as the No. 4 quarterback and the No. 9 recruit overall in the 2023 class according to the On3 consensus rankings.

Moore is more of a pro-style quarterback but he’s one of the best players in the 2023 class and one of the quarterbacks good enough to start right away.

With Dorian Thompson-Robinson out of eligibility, the Bruns could use Moore. It doesn’t mean he would start right away but he’s always wanted to play early.

Notre Dame pitched a chance to play early but ducked out of the Moore recruitment when it took five-star QB CJ Carr in the 2024 class. Dan Lanning, Kenny Dillingham, and Oregon swooped it and beat out the in-state team Michigan for his commitment.

NIL was a factor but Dillingham was probably the biggest thing. He was the offensive coordinator for Oregon and is now the head coach at Arizona State. It was thought that departure could create some movement with Moore and he’s taken an official visit to UCLA football.

Moore and UCLA football coach Chip Kelly posted some pictures on social media and I can see why Moore would be attracted to working under Kelly. He’s a former NFL head coach and known as a quarterback guru.

Imagine too if Moore was able to win the job next season. He would put up some huge numbers and that wouldn’t hurt in terms of getting to the NFL.

Is UCLA football the biggest threat?

It doesn’t feel like a flip is imminent but you don’t take an official visit (just his third overall unless you are serious about flipping).

Michigan State has also tried to get back in the mix and there was even a crystal ball projection from a Spartans’ insider. However, none have followed suit.

Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons both reported that there was still confidence at Oregon, which is trying to get him for a visit this weekend. Simmons also mentioned a possible visit to Ohio State.

Yet, Wiltfong reports OSU is more focused on Lincoln Kienholz, a Washington commitment from the state of South Dakota. Michigan State can’t be deemed a threat until Moore actually takes a visit there but we didn’t know about the UCLA football visit until the last minute.

As of right now, my guess is that Lanning can win him over, especially if Moore visits this weekend and has a good meeting with Oregon’s new OC.

But if not, UCLA football looks ready to pounce and with Bo Nix likely to return, the Bruins can offer early playing time. If Moore is going to flip, they seem like the best bet.