Michigan Football: If Dante Moore visits Oregon, it’s cause for concern

Oregon is the top threat for Dante Moore and according to a new report, he could visit there this weekend, which would be concerning for Michigan football.

It’s becoming crunch time in the recruitment of five-star quarterback Dante Moore. The recruiting dead period is nearly upon us and that means this weekend is basically the final chance for players to take visits before that dead period takes effect.

Most of the time, quarterbacks want to make their college commitments before their senior seasons and while Dante Moore could wait until later in the fall, it feels like he’s getting sick of the process, so I wouldn’t be surprised if a decision came next month.

Justin Hopkins of Scoop Duck was hinting that there will be some clarity soon about Oregon QB recruiting and the Ducks also hosted four-star Avery Johnson over the weekend for an official visit, which also complicates things.

However, Johnson received a second crystal ball to Kansas State this week with a confidence level of nine. So either Kansas State has just won him over (and they have done a great job) or the Ducks are more focused on Moore, which isn’t a secret.

There has been growing optimism surrounding Oregon and even national analysts have said that the Ducks feel like the favorite. To that end, Chad Simmons of On3.com reported a Moore visit to Oregon this weekend is a “strong possibility.”

Moore visited Texas A&M last week but as I’ve said before unless he goes back for an official visit, which would need to take place this fall, I really don’t see it happening.

If a decision is coming soon, it really feels like it’s coming down to Michigan football and Oregon. I laid out three reasons for optimism recently but if Oregon hosts the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2023 class this weekend, that optimism will start to fade.

It will be different if Dante winds up taking a visit to Michigan football too. But either way, it’s crunch time and the Wolverines need to find a way to close.

UPDATE: According to Josh Henschke of the Maize and Blue Review (Rivals), Michigan football is expecting to host Dante Moore sometime this week too. Maybe this weekend.

It’s important to note about the Oregon trip that Moore is heading to Los Angeles for the Elite 11 QB competition next Tuesday, so stopping by Oregon makes logistical sense and he’s not heading out West simply to visit the Ducks.

The visit still worries me, but that makes me feel better about it. I’ll feel even better if this report from Henschke is true and the five-star, in-state QB gets on the Michigan campus this weekend.