Florida Gators coaches ease Moore’s mind about OL coach

Tuesday night wasn’t just any night for Florida Gators offensive line commits T.J. Moore (6-4, 270, Charlotte, NC., Mallard Creek) as he and his family played host to three Gators coaches.

Head coach Jim McElwain, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and director of player personnel Drew Hughes also visited Moore and the lineman said it was a successful meeting.

“It was good, we sat down and had a long conversation and got to know each other,” Moore said on how McElwain’s visit with him went. “He’s a very good coach and person. He’s very energetic and fun to be around and think he and I are going to have a great relationship.”

McElwain visited a few other guys during the day on Tuesday while Hughes and Nussmeier spent the day getting to know Moore’s friends at Mallard Creek.

“Coach Hughes and Coach Nussmeier came over to the school earlier in the day and spent the day with me,” he said. “They just walked around with me during school and chilled out. They were seeing how my school day was and they were talking to my coaches, my friends and they met my girlfriend. She kind of introduced herself to them.”

When McElwain met up with Moore on Tuesday night they got right down to business with the Gators coach explaining the need for Moore in Gainesville.

“Coach McElwain told me to get my mind ready to get down there to Florida because he needs me ready to go,” Moore said. “I might be coming down there in May instead of June now because I don’t anything but my weight lifting class left. Coach said that he thought that was a good idea and he really loved my family.”

Of course, the big question entering the night was the Gators vacate offensive line coaching position but McElwain quickly addressed that with Moore.

“He was just telling me that whoever is going to be the coach is going to be a great coach,” he said on McElwain’s message about the offensive line position. “He said that the coach will get me better and help me get to the NFL.”

While McElwain and Moore were eating dinner the Gators head coach had his phone ringing with coaches wanting the position and that put the lineman’s mind at ease.

“When we were sitting down coach was telling me about the all of the NFL guys that are trying to get the job and that are calling him,” Moore said. “The Saints, Chargers, and Giants coaches were calling him trying to get the job. So whoever it’s is going to be a great person and I’m not worried about who it will be.”

McElwain delivered a big message to Moore but Nussmeier lightened the mood some while also explaining where the lineman would play at in Gainesville.
“Coach Nuss is just funny, he’s real cool and funny,” Moore said of Nussmeier. “He’s a great person to be around and he’s just a good dude. He was telling me that I could play tackle or guard depending on where they need me. He said that he likes my size and my ability to move around. He’s just ready to get me down there because they need guys like me.”

Next up for Moore is a trip for him and his family down to Gainesville for their official visit and he knows what he wants to get out of this weekend.

“I’m just trying to see how the players interact with each other,” he said on what he’s looking forward to seeing this weekend. “I’m just trying to have fun and get to know each other. I’m looking forward to spending more time with Coach McElwain and seeing how it’s to live at Florida.”

There has been some talk of another visit next weekend for Moore but he says those plans are up in their air at this time.

“If everything goes good this weekend then I probably want me taking that official visit,” Moore said on if he will visit Auburn or not. “That’s really all there is too it.

 

INSIDERS TAKE: This visit from Florida really helped Moore out because he was able to spend a lot of time with McElwain before his visit. Moore’s family also had a great visit and really liked what they heard from Florida on Tuesday night.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.