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| PHOTOS: DE DAMONTRE MOORE |
Defensive End
Texas A&M
Height: 6-5
Weight: 250
Dallas, Texas
Rowlett High School
OVERVIEW
Moore is an intriguing prospect, whose career got off to a blazing start, sharing the limelight with All-American Von Miller at the "Joker" position during his freshman season.
Created by former head coach Mike Sherman, the "joker" position is both a 3-4 alignment rush linebacker and a 4-3 defensive end. Aptly nicknamed "DaMonster," as his teammates call him, Moore would pick up the slack when Miller, a Butkus Award winner moved on to the Denver Broncos in 2011.
Moore would go on to record 45 tackles behind the line of scrimmage as an Aggie, trailing Von Miller (50.5; 2007-10) in the school record books. His finest season saw the junior make 21 stops-for-loss in 2012, which placed behind Miller (21.5 in 2009) and Keith Mitchell (25.0 in 1996) on the A&M season-record list. His tackle-for-loss totals rank tied for sixth among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision performers.
Moore has been relentless in his attacks in the backfield, as his 26.5 quarterback sacks are not only fifth-best among active players, but rank sixth in school history. A collision-type tackler, he caused eight fumbles during his 38-game career and has also been a capable performer on special teams, where he was credited with a pair of blocked kicks.
The pleasant problem for his next team is figuring out the best way to utilize Moore's combination of strength and athleticism. His ability to get into the backfield regularly makes him even more enticing for teams looking to harass opposing quarterbacks. At 250 pounds, he is better suited playing on the move than coming off the line, but with a 4.95-second clocking in the 40-yard dash, he might not be a fit as a linebacker in passing situations.
Still, there is no question that Moore is highly capable of attacking the pocket. His average of 0.7 sacks per game is surpassed by just two players at the major college level – Jarvis Jones of Georgia, who recorded 28 sacks in 26 games (1.08 spg) and Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina, who dropped quarterbacks 21 times in 25 contests (0.84 spg). It is obvious that Moore joined the elite in the college football industry in making life tough for opposing passers.
Moore has a lean frame with long arms that make him an impressive prospect on size alone. He knows how to use several different moves to get to the quarterback on pass rushes and has very good balance and body control looping around bigger blockers in order to avoid being stonewalled at the line of scrimmage.
Moore does not show a lot of strength in the upper body and will need to get stronger, if he is to remain on the defensive line. He will also need to also improve on his overall explosiveness off the snap, but he has good quickness after he gets going. He could also prove valuable in other areas, as he is fast enough to excel on kick coverage teams.
Moore was not really a coveted prospect coming out of Rowlett High School, where he was rated the 66th-best defensive end in the country while receiving a three-star grade from Scout.com. He was regarded as the 32nd-best weak-side defensive end in the prep ranks and the 72nd-best overall prospect coming out of the state of Texas by Rivals.com.
Moore received All-State honorable mention from the Associated Press and was a first-team All-Area honoree by The Dallas Morning News after recording 66 tackles, six sacks and two safeties as a senior. He also earned All-American honors from Max Emfinger and was a Super Prep Southwest Team pick that year. As a junior, he had collected 41 tackles.
Moore chose to attend Texas A&M, turning down offers from Oklahoma State and Baylor. He earned Freshman All-Big Twelve Conference honors from ESPN as a 227-pound back-up to Von Miller at the "Joker" position in 2010. He posted 40 tackles that included 5.5 sacks and also caused three fumbles while picking off a pass in thirteen contests. He also earned National Defensive Performer of the Week honors vs. Louisiana Tech.
With Miller having been selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, Moore assumed the Butkus Award winner's role as the team's designated pass rusher. The All-Big Twelve Conference choice led the league and tied for tenth in the nation with 17.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He was second in the Big Twelve and tied for 21st nationally with 8.5 sacks, as he also chipped in with 72 tackles (41 solos) and four forced fumbles in ten starting assignments.
Moore was a consensus All-American, adding first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors during the Aggies' first season in the new league. He took over rush end duties on the right side of the defensive front wall, making a team-high 85 tackles. His 12.5 sacks rank 12th on the school season-record list and were ninth-best in the major college ranks. He also placed ninth nationally with 21.0 stops-for-loss.
As the Aggies coaching staff expected, Moore announced after the 2012 season that he would forego his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. The Ted Hendricks Award finalist became just the third defensive lineman to lead the Aggies in tackles since 1970, and the first to do it since All-American defensive end Sam Adams in 1993.
"Today is a sad moment and a happy moment," Moore said. "It's always been a dream of mine to play in the NFL, but I've loved my time representing the 12th Man and with my teammates at Texas A&M. Wherever I go, I will always be an Aggie at heart."
"I couldn't be happier for Damontre as he pursues his professional dreams in the NFL," Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin said. "He's been a great representative of Texas A&M University, as a student and a football player, and I know he will continue to be an ambassador for the University in everything he's does in the future.
With an emphasis being made by NFL teams to utilize versatile defenders as edge rushers, Moore showed in college that he has enough functional quickness to pressure the pocket and needs to be accounted for on every play. His ability to create turnovers shows that he has good field presence, locating the ball quickly to fly to it and contain the run.
The Aggies defender has the ability to consistently disrupt the backfield, as he has the very good balance and an effective spin move to escape slower blockers on the way into the backfield. He might not have valid strength to over-power offensive tackles when he's coming off the edge, but he displays good flexibility and balance working down the line and changing direction.
Moore has that low center of gravity that makes it very rare to see him on the ground, and when he is, he is quick to recover and get back into the action. On the move, he possesses loose hips, good knee bend and balance in his running stride, especially when chasing long distances. He plays with a high motor and shows a natural feel for the game, as he continues to improve his ability to anticipate and jump the play.
When Moore stays low in his pads, he has that sudden first step to defeat an offensive tackle coming off the edge and that is due to his uncanny ability to anticipate the snap cadence and time his jumps. He has the quickness to penetrate when working inside and is very disruptive coming off the snap, as he is quick and active with his hand punch to rock the bigger blockers back on their heels.
The junior could punch and shed blockers quicker, at times, but he can get up field and collide with the ball carrier with good pop on contact. For a possible move to linebacker, he has decent lower body flexibility to drop his weight and leverage at the point. He can close in a hurry in the short area and takes good angles in pursuit to make plays outside the box. He also shows enough speed to flatten and chase from the backside or the outside when playing as a stand-up end.
CAREER NOTES
Moore started 23-of-38 games at Texas A&M – ten at the "Joker" position and thirteen as a rush end on the right side of the line…Recorded 197 tackles (116 solos), as his 26.5 sacks for minus 158 yards rank fifth among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision performers and also placed sixth on the school career-record list…His 45.0 stops for losses of 205 yards is tied for sixth among active players and is just shy of the school all-time record of 50.5 tackles-for-loss by Von Miller (2007-10)…Registered thirteen quarterback pressures, as he blocked two kicks, gained eight yards on an interception return, recovered a fumble and deflected three passes…Also caused eight fumbles.
2012 SEASON
A consensus All-American first-team selection (Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association, ESPN.com, Max Emfinger CFB, Football Writers Association), Moore was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End Award and a semi-finalist for the Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award…Named National Tri-Defensive Player of the Year by Max Emfinger…Added All-Southeastern Conference first-team accolades and was a two-time All-SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week choice…Became just the third defensive lineman to lead the Aggies in tackles since 1970, and the first to do it since All-American defensive end Sam Adams in 1993, as the junior registered 85 tackles (57 solos), as his 12.5 sacks for minus 70 yards placed third in the league, ninth in the nation and was the 12th-best season total by an Aggie…Led the team and finished ninth nationally with 21.0 stops for losses of 93 yards, ranking behind Von Miller (21.5 in 2009) and Keith Mitchell (25.0 in 1996) on the school annual record list…Also caused one fumble, deflected a pass and blocked two kicks….Received SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors after Moore registered ten total tackles, seven solos, and had three sacks (-21 yards) in Texas A&M's 20-17 loss to Florida…Totaled six tackles with two sacks, two QB pressures and one pass deflection vs. Southern Methodist…Moore was again chosen SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after he led Texas A&M with ten total tackles, including eight solo stops, with two for losses (-4 yards), including a sack, a pass deflection and a quarterback pressure in the Aggies' 24-19 loss to Louisiana state. Outside of LSU's three touchdown plays (combined 96 yards), the Aggie defense gave up 220 yards on 71 plays. The Aggies' junior showcased his versatility, alternating between left and right defensive end, as well as looping inside to rush up the middle and even dropping off occasionally into coverage on zone blitzes. He consistently applied pressure to QB Zach Mettenberger, but also showed terrific effort in pursuit, beating Tigers' backs to the edge and closing on receivers from behind yards downfield...Moore closed out his career with a pressure, a stop-for-loss and five tackles in a 41-13 defeat of Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.
2011 SEASON
Moore was named All-American third-team and All-Big Twelve Conference first-team by The NFL Draft Report, as he started ten of the twelve games he appeared in at the "Joker" (right outside linebacker) position…Fourth on the team with 72 tackles (41 solos), as he ranked second on the squad and league with 8.5 sacks for minus 50 yards…Led the Aggies and Big Twelve while tying for tenth nationally with 17.5 stops for losses totaling 70 yards…Added two pressures, as he caused four fumbles, recovered another and broke up one pass attempt…After posting just two tackles entering the team's third game on the schedule, Moore delivered six hits with 2.5 stops-for-loss that included a 5-yard sack vs. Oklahoma State…added 1.5 sacks for minus 9 yards among his four tackles vs. Baylor and delivered six tackles with 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage vs. Missouri…In the Oklahoma clash, he produced eight tackles with two stops-for-loss and caused a fumble while making two sacks for minus 11 yards, 3.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and twelve tackles (8 solos) vs. Kansas State…Registered eight tackles, two sacks, a pressure and a pair of forced fumbles vs. Kansas…Posted twelve tackles (7 solos) and a 6-yard sack vs. Texas before closing out his sophomore season with nine tackles, a 6-yard sack, two stops behind the line of scrimmage and a forced fumble vs. Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
2010 SEASON
Moore earned Freshman All-Big Twelve Conference honors from ESPN.com after serving as Butkus Award winner Von Miller's backup at the Aggies' "joker" position…Turned in an impressive season, with 40 tackles (18 solos), including 5.5 sacks for minus 38 yards, 6.5 stops for losses of 42 yards and two pressures…Also contributed an interception and a team-high three forced fumbles…Named National Defensive Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards after coming off the bench to make a season-high seven tackles, including two sacks and another tackle for loss of yardage in the Aggies
48-16 win over Louisiana Tech. Moore also forced three fumbles and recovered one vs. the Bulldogs.
INJURY REPORT
No major injuries reported.
HIGH SCHOOL
Moore attended Rowlett (Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Kiff Hardin…
Rated the 66th-best defensive end in the country while receiving a three-star grade from Scout.com…Regarded as the 32nd-best weak-side defensive end in the prep ranks and the 72nd-best overall prospect coming out of the state of Texas by Rivals.com…Received All-State honorable mention from the Associated Press and was a first-team All-Area honoree by The Dallas Morning News after recording 66 tackles, six sacks and two safeties as a senior…Earned All-American honors from Max Emfinger and was a Super Prep Southwest Team pick that year…As a junior, he collected 41 tackles.
PERSONAL
Accounting major…Son of Detra Johnson and Damon Moore…Born 9/11/92 in DeSoto, Texas…Resides in Dallas, Texas.
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