In college football, freshmen rarely face the media. But the reason? Okay, being fresh to the system, there’s always a risk they could open a can of worms. That’s why programs typically keep them under wraps until they’re fit for prime time. However, Oregon’s Dan Lanning is shaking things up. Ahead of the big matchup with Indiana, he made an unusual decision. It’s a break from tradition, as Lanning gave his 186-pound freshman wide receiver a rare chance.

With Evan Stewart out for 2025 after that crushing knee injury in June, opportunity knocked early. The freshman WR Dakorien Moore answered. As the No. 5 wide receiver recruit, Moore didn’t just show up to camp – he announced his arrival in style.

On October 8, KOIN News reporter Brenna Greene delivered a headline that caught everyone off guard: “Never seen Dan Lanning do this before.” Yes, for the first time this season, freshman WR Dakorien Moore faced the media ahead of Oregon’s clash at Autzen Stadium. Usually, freshmen are ‘off limits’ for media interviews during the regular season.

But Lanning has broken the long-standing tradition, offering a rare sight in his coaching era. Still, a question remains: Why did Lanning make such a decision? Does Moore have what it takes to face the media?

Maybe Moore has everything it takes. The reason? Lanning didn’t hold back about Moore’s leadership ahead of the Indiana game. “I think one of the best ways you can lead is to continue to grow. And he’s gotten better and better. He’s grown a voice,” said Lannin. Then, Lanning continued, stating, “He feels very comfortable speaking in front of the team, saying what he sees. And I think his play is speaking for itself. As long as that continues to improve and grow like it has, it’s going to make a huge impact.”

Hence, Moore isn’t just a freshman finding his feet. He’s a rising leader. And now, while Lanning has noticed it, there’s plenty on the scoreboard to back it up. In 2025, Dakorien Moore is making his mark early. So far, he’s racked up 296 yards and 2 TDs. Before that, his high school days at Duncanville were pure domination. He threw for 4,113 yards, along with 40 TDs over 4 seasons. To cap it off, his speed? A 10.4-second 100-meter dash in HS proved he can outrun anyone on the field.

It’s probably why WR coach Ross Douglas couldn’t help but rave about him, saying, “I think Kori, again, I just think the want to and the desire to be a good football player. I think it’s there. He’s gotten better as training camp’s went on… He’s gonna be a very, very good player for Oregon, and hopefully he contributes a lot this year.”

Now, while he’s a playmaker leaving defenders in his wake, let’s see what he had to say during his first media interaction.

Dan Lanning’s freshman WR had plenty to say

At Wednesday’s pregame conference, freshman sensation Dakorien Moore didn’t hold back. Looks like he’s handling the pressure like a veteran. “I put more pressure on myself than anything,” stated Moore. “I don’t really think about what everybody else expects. And I hold high standards for myself and try to do well on the practice field every day. Whatever we do there, that’s what we’re gonna put in the game.” Now you know why he’s putting in extra work with the QB and his teammates.

According to Moore’s words, he has been steadily building strong bonds with his teammates and earning respect in the WR room. From the moment he committed, he focused on putting in the work, quickly gaining the trust of the older players. Before starting this season, Dan Lanning said of Moore. “He works extremely hard. He does. And he has huge expectations, and I think that’s hard, but he’s handled that really, really well…Really talented, obviously, and I think he’ll make a big impact for our team. So, I’m excited to see what Dakorien does.”

And now, his 42 rushing yards on just three carries proved he has the potential to make an impact. But what really stands out are Dakorien Moore’s remarks about QB Dante Moore.

“That’s something we work on every day,” he said. “I just trust him to get the ball out, and I’ll make him look good.” Then he continued, recalling their intense summer practices in Texas. “Putting in that hard work brought trust, from me to him, from me to J-Mac. Running routes together, knowing where everything is, it builds confidence,” said the WR.

Now, while Dakorien greatly respects Dante’s leadership, his own influence could help Oregon emerge as a serious title contender.