Sooners and Moore Done Circling Each Other
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It's tough to envision a less formulaic recruitment than what transpired between Oklahoma and Fresno (Calif.) Central East four-star safety L.J. Moore as the two seemed to constantly be unsure of the other's interest.
However, that doubt was removed today at East Central high school when, just moments ago, Moore committed to the Sooners and should be faxing in his letter of intent to Norman momentarily.
Unlike many of his classmates Moore hasn't always been an obvious Oklahoma target and as such many Sooners fans aren't exactly certain what they've landed with the nation's No. 194 overall player. To that end SCOOPHD brings some video from last summer's RivalsChallenge in Atlanta where the SoonerScoop.com staff had a chance for a first hand look at the talented defensive back.
Video By: Eddie Radosevich
As mentioned, it hasn't always been a smooth recruitment between the Sooners and Moore, who at various times seemed to have gone their different ways. In the late Summer Moore seemed very interested in joining his teammate, and good friend, Hatari Byrd but thought that the Sooners had moved on from his recruitment.
Word circulated that Oklahoma had thought things were the other way around and the Sooners got in touch with Moore and set up an official visit with him for Jan. 12. Just a few days later it seemed that Moore had already, again, moved away from Oklahoma and had set a visit to Arizona State on Jan. 18 and might see no need to take any more visits following trips to Notre Dame, and Oregon State prior to the new year.
However, the Sooners brought Moore out and after his departure rumors swirled that he might have committed and though that didn't happen he did gush about his trip once he returned to the West coast.
"I loved the campus and everything," Moore told SoonerScoop.com's Alex King on Jan. 13. "And it's a nice little city that really supports football."
Then the Sooners went on to erase any doubt about his standing in the eyes of Oklahoma's second year defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, Mike Stoops.
"I like coach Stoops a lot and it seems like he can help me be a better player," he replied.
Moore would eventually take two more official visits - Arizona State on Jan. 18 and Cal on Jan. 25 - before shutting things down and hosting a final few in-home visits.
On the eve of National Signing Day the SoonerScoop.com staff began hearing very positive word about Moore's choice, and he finally brought his chaotic recruiting cycle to a close at a ceremony at his school.
Look for much more from Moore's commitment later this evening.