Interview: 2020 JUCO DE Austin Moore Updates Visits to Oregon and Oregon State
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Rolling off of the always tough San Clemente roster out of high school to Saddleback College, Class of 2020 defensive end/lineman Austin Moore has worked hard to position himself as a Division-I college football player. After achieving All-State status in high school, Moore hit the ground running in 2017 with an estimated stat line of 38 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles lining up at end. The 2018 season was set for Moore to truly shine racking up eight tackles, three sacks, 4.5 tackles for a loss and a forced fumble in two games before taking a medical redshirt year for personal reasons, not due to injury. The highly anticipated sophomore season for Moore (6-4, 255) at the junior college level is nearing with spring ball underway.
The list of college teams anxious to see him this spring, at camps this summer, and play this fall is impressive and growing. Two schools were already able to get him on campus this spring, Oregon and Oregon State. To talk about it all, I sat down with Moore for an RNG catch-up interview.
Interview
Austin, how are the offseason workouts going?
“They are really good. My squat max is today (Monday). We’ve been going hard in the weight room and our showcase is tomorrow.”
What will the Showcase be like for you guys and cover for college coaches to see of you guys?
“We are doing 7-on-7, one-on-ones, bag drills, and a full Saddleback practice except it will be more intense and high-tempo.”
What is the focus of your offseason workouts?
“Speed. A lot of speed work. I have dropped my 40 down to 4.8, but I am aiming for 4.6. I’ve been working on my explosive movements off the line, going right to the tackle, and creating separation with my speed. I have done a lot of work to increase my physicality at the point of contact on blocks and getting into the backfield.”
Have you maxed out in the weight room lately? If so, what did you hit?
“My bench max is 365, my squat is 495, and I got 335 on power clean.”
Impressive.
“Thank you.”
With the showcase coming up, which schools are showing recruiting interest?
“I am receiving interest from Oregon, USC, San Diego State, Azusa Pacific, and North Texas.”
Have you taken any visits this spring?
“Yes. I have been to Oregon and Oregon State, and I went on a visit to USC during the season. I visited Oregon and Oregon State over the weekend.”
Great. How did the Oregon visit go?
“It was phenomenal. They showed a lot of love and interest. Their mentality was upbeat, I liked it. They are positive. They want you to be the best you can be. The weight room was my favorite part with the technicality of all involved. Even the wood used on the floor to the drop mat used is of great detail. Their strength coach and I, we connected really well.”
You said the coaches showed a lot of love and interest, what did they talk to you about during the visit?
“They want me to have an explosive season. They want to see more of my hand in the dirt and what my capabilities are at outside linebacker. Their defensive coordinator is interested in me at outside linebacker.”
Very cool. And the Oregon State visit, how did that go?
“It was more mello but amazing. They have a new recruiting staff that showed us around. Their facilities were amazing. The stadium – it was an eye changer. People were tailgating for a baseball game while we were there. The social life was lively at Oregon State.”
Do you have any planned visits coming up?
“We are going to Georgia, LSU, N.C. State, and Alabama as well. We are going to a lot of schools on the east coast coming up.”
Are you going to compete at any camps this summer?
“Yes. I am going to a La Verne camp on June 2. There will be a bunch of colleges there – USC, Sac State, San Diego State, Washington, Air Force, Washington State, Oregon, etc… I plan on going to some defensive line camps during the summer time.”
What is the mindset for this season with one more year at the JUCO level and with all the recruiting attention you are receiving?
“This season, it is a selfless me out there on the field. I am even more motivated and have an even bigger drive since my parents’ divorce. I want to be an even better me than I was in the past five years. I am coming out with surprises in my bag this year.”
Last question. When do you graduate from Saddleback?
“I will be a mid-year transfer.”
Austin, it was great catching up with you today. Good luck with your upcoming camps and visits.
“Thank you.”
*Click link for Sept. 21, 2018, RNG interview with Austin Moore
Photo credit: Moore family; Austin Moore at Oregon State