Carl Moore - Overcoming Adversity To Become A Clutch Receiver
Sunday, October 17, 2010 | Football
By Emily Arthur, UF Communications
An elite junior college transfer, Carl Moore has made himself a vital cog on the field for the University of Florida football team. Wearing number nine, the senior wide receiver has become known for his offensive performances in critical situations, an enhanced leadership role and for his love of the game. Moore has had an atypical journey in his development as a member of the Gators. Through overcoming an unstable high school career, to establishing himself as a go-to performer at Sierra Community College in California, to being an offensive weapon essential to the Florida Gators, he has finally made his way to the top.
“When I came out of high school, I wasn't too mature,” Moore acknowledged. “Being able to go to junior college, I was able to surround myself with the right people and change my setting. I grew as a football player, but more importantly as a person, and was able to develop certain life skills that I'll be able to use after football.”
Moore has developed on the team since arriving in 2008 as one of the most highly-coveted junior college players. During his sophomore year at Sierra, Moore gained 1,068 yards on 73 receptions with 16 touchdowns and was ranked as the No. 2 junior college player in 2008. The All-American wideout for Sierra was playing in a talented division for junior college football.
“The competition was good in the league I was in,” Moore stated. “All of the players were transferring to Division I colleges and it gave me a chance to get my name out there and grow up. Junior college is just a second chance, so what you do with it is what you do with it.”
With the Gators, Moore came off a National Championship victory in 2008 with season-ending surgery in 2009. A bulging disc in his back that was pinching on a nerve led him to surgery just one week prior to the season starting. After a successful operation, the post-care physical therapy, as well as the support from fellow Gator Jeremy Brown, got him to where he is now. Moore spent as much time as he could training to recover, starting at 4:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.
“We just kept training and training because we both had the same injury,” he noted. “We fed off each other and just pushed each other every day. Having the same injury, we experienced the exact same thing. It kind of worked out perfectly, not saying it was a good thing that it happened, but it worked out perfectly for the both of us.”
Now healthy and healed, Moore has added increased depth and an impact to the Gator offense and has earned acclaim for his performance on third downs. Entering the Mississippi State game, he ranks second on the team in receptions with 17, good for 261 yards and a 15.4-yard average per catch. In addition, Moore has had a streak where 11 of his last 12 receptions have resulted in third- or fourth-down conversions.
“I just catch the ball when it comes my way,” Moore said. “It just so happens that on third down is when it's coming.”
From playing football at a small community college to playing in The Swamp, Moore has experienced both sides of the football spectrum and truly appreciates where he is now.
“When you go to junior college, there is no one there for you at all,” he reminisced. “Players have to buy their own cleats, gloves and shoulder pads and have to pay for school. When I got here (Florida), all of those things were handed to me. Because I got to attend junior college first, I don't take any of it for granted.”
Moore's first time in the state of Florida was when he traveled to Gainesville for his official school visit. Although he has now lived in the Sunshine State for two years, he is still making the adjustment from the West to the East Coast and has yet to adapt to Florida's unpredictable weather.
“I probably still haven't really eased into the Florida lifestyle,” Moore noted. “To this day and all through the summer, people will see me walking around with a hoodie and sweats on because I can't tell with this weather.”
Looking forward to the rest of the season, Moore hopes to be the best player he can be for his team and to act on his senior leadership role.
“As a leader, I want to make sure that not only am I prepared for the games, but my teammates and other wide receivers are just as prepared as I am,” the anthropology major said. “I want to make sure that I'll be able to trust them just like they can trust me.”
Wearing the colors orange and blue on Saturdays is truly a personal achievement of pride, joy and strength. Moore's perseverance landed him the starting position as one of the Gators' wide receivers and he has accomplished his goal of overcoming the odds and is right where he wants to be.
“Coming out of high school, I was determined to make sure that I would get to a top Division I school,” Moore said. “That was one of my goals that I set for myself because when I was in high school, I had a lot of doubters. That was my main drive and motivation to make it to a top school so I could prove everybody wrong. Being able to do it is even better.”
