Interview: California Championship Winning CB Kyle Moses Seeing Recruiting Stock Rise

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Nothing draws college recruiters faster than talent, winners, and productivity. Chula Vista’s Mater Dei High School was one of the top teams in the state of California in 2015 pushing their record to 14-1 capturing a CIF championship beating Immanuel (Reedley) 56-21 for the trophy. A team cannot win without strong coaching and across the board talent. One player displaying the ability to receive coaching while turning God given ability into high production on the field was Kyle Moses.

All was on display by Moses during his junior season helping out on offense with nine receptions for 156 yards with three touchdowns and even carried the ball five times for 42 more yards. He truly shined on defense at corner coming up with 75 tackles, 39 solo, 3 tackles for a loss, 3 interceptions – one pick-six, 17 passes defended, and two fumble recoveries.

Colleges are looking down into the southern California area at Moses. The 5’11”, 180 pound, talent has offers from Columbia, Holy Cross, University of San Diego, Brown, Howard, Jackson State, and Idaho State with teams like Cal, Duke, North Carolina State, Air Force, and Colorado State among others all showing interest.

As spring ball turns into the offseason camp circuit, I sat down with Moses for an in-depth interview covering his 2015 season, his offseason workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Kyle, you had a highly productive junior season with a great stat line. Did you earn any individual honors last season?

“I was first team All-League as a cornerback.”

What are your strengths on the field as a corner?

“I definitely think I am one of the more physical corners out there. My technique is good and my man coverage skills are good.”

You played some at wide receiver too. What are strengths on that side of the ball?

“I definitely think I run my routes with speed, that helps a lot. I think we had a really good wide receivers coach. He helped me with all of my technique especially with blocking and getting out of my breaks. I’ve been doing a lot better with that as wide receiver.”

Which position do you think is your best, wide receiver or corner?

“I think in the long run, with my body type, I’ll probably end up playing cornerback at the next level.”

What have you been working on in the offseason?

“I’ve been doing a lot of work during the week. I’m working with my speed coach, weight lifting with my team or trainer, and working on technique. I’m working on the weekend with Coach Brett Hudson. Earlier in the offseason I would go up to LA to practice with B2G’s 7×7 team. I’d go to their training, which helped a lot.”

What technique are you working on getting ready for next season?

“With my coach during the week, Coach Mike, he was a DB in college, he’ll alternate. Some days we do speed work, then three-four days of back pedaling, and working on coming in and out of breaks and press coverage.”

Have you maxed out on bench or squat in the offseason?

“Yes. My bench is 295 and my squat is 400.”

Have you ran a 40-yard dash in the offseason?

“No, I have not. My last 40-yard dash was a 4.56 during my sophomore year at either Washington’s or Washington State’s camp.”

Have you set goals for yourself for your senior year?

“I want to have more interceptions. I want to get recognized as a defensive back more. I would like to be first team All-CIF earning recognition for my play.”

Will you change positions next season or take on a bigger role on either side of the ball in 2016?

“Hopefully I can play more at wide receiver. I played inside wide receiver more last year. I have the versatility as an outside receiver. On defense, I’ve been playing nickel some this spring. If they need me to play that I can do that too.”

You guys won a championship last season, does the team have the talent to do it again in 2016?

“Yes. Last year we were young. Our running back and our quarterbacks are juniors, they’ll be back. We had three or four key seniors that graduated. We basically have our whole team coming back.”

Nice. You have a lot of offers on the table. Are there any schools that have not offered you yet that are showing a lot of interest?

“I recently talked to Yale. Colorado State, I talked to them last week. Air Force came by the school on Friday. Cal’s defensive back coach, Coach (Greg) Burns, I talked to him last week. Colorado came to our school last week as well. Duke has been asking about me too.”

What are the coaches saying they like about your game?

“They like my physicality and they like the way I play. Really they like my speed and physical play.”

Have any of the coaches that have not offered told you want they are looking for from you before they may offer?

“All of them want to see me at their camps and then they’ll extend an offer.”

Sounds like a busy summer coming up. Which camps are you planning on attending this summer?

“Actually I have to sit down with my parents and plan that out. So far I’m probably going to Columbia again, the coaches want to see me in person. Arizona – they’ll be coming down to San Diego soon. I’ll probably go to a Washington camp. I think they are coming down too. So far that is it. I have to sit down with my dad and plan that out.”

You mentioned going to Columbia again. Did you go there on an unofficial visit?

“I did go to Columbia for a Junior Day (March 26). I also went to San Diego State’s Junior Day.”

When you go on the various unofficial visits, what are you looking at as a potential commitment to a given school?

“Just the comfort and the education part. I want to make sure that when I am done with football that I am set. I’m looking at the relationship with the coaches and if they have a family environment.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“This semester I have a 3.4. Overall I have a 3.3.”

Nice. Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I take the SAT next Saturday. I’m taking the ACT on June 4. I’m prepping for both right now.”

Do you know what degree you want to pursue in college?

“I’m thinking about business management, sports management, or something in the health science field.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Science.”

This should be a softball question for you. What has been your most memorable moment in high school football so far?

“Winning a state championship and CIF championship. It was a fun year.”

Kyle, thanks for your time today and good luck on your upcoming tests.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: hudl.com; Mater Dei celebrates a championship.

Photo credit: Moses family; Kyle Moses at Columbia.

Photo credit: Moses family; Kyle Moses at San Diego State.