THE SPOTLIGHT

KEITH

MOORE

By HOLLY MOODY
OhioBobcats.com
The 2012 campaign was nothing short of a breakout season for Ohio linebacker Keith Moore.
As a junior, he more than filled the void left by former Bobcat star linebacker Noah Keller as he led the team with 98 tackles and was selected as
the Advocare V100 Independence Bowl Defensive Most Valuable Player.
Not bad, especially for a player that joined the team as a walk-on.
Contrary to what some may believe being a linebacker was not always in
the cards for Moore. In fact, Moore did not pick up a football until he was
in the eighth grade.
I played soccer all the way up until eighth grade and then all of my
friends converted to football so I said alright I will try it, Moore said.
When he started his football career at Grove City High School in Columbus,
Ohio he jumped from one position to another.
I started out as a corner back, Moore said. In high school I played safety,
wide receiver, tight end, everything but linebacker.
It was not until he arrived at Ohio that he found his home as a linebacker.
After gaining a few pounds Moore made a quick adjustment to the position and has been very successful ever since. His teammates also took
notice as they voted him as one the teams five captains.
As he trained for his final season with the Green and White, Moore entered the year with sky high expectations. However, those sky high expectations would have to be put on hold after he suffered an ankle injury
in the first game of the season that would sideline him for the start of his
senior year.
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together really well.

It was a fluke play on a blitz that I had ran 1,000 times, Moore said. Today Moore will make his 2013 debut at Peden Stadium.
I was free when a guard peeled back on me and I saw him at the last
second when my heel kind of slid and I felt my ankle pop. I didnt know I like tackling people so Im very hungry coming into this weeks game
how bad it was so I was thinking I could walk it off and then it hit me that against Central Michigan, Moore said.
I think something is wrong and I cant walk very well.
With Moore back and seemingly at full strength, the goal is clear - win
Moore was forced to sit out for four weeks, but despite his absence, Ohio a MAC Championship. To do that, Moore has committed himself to perworked its way to a 3-1 record. During his time off the field, he quickly forming at the best of his ability and being a leader.
shifted gears and became a coach to the younger linemen.
I want my teammates to see that I am a hard worker and that Ive preWith me being out, it kind of helped our defense get the experience we pared myself very well, Moore said.
needed so I think that now were all meshing really well, Moore said. I
Not only does Moore prepare himself well on the field, he also prepares
think the front seven made tremendous jumps.
himself well off the field. He currently owns a 3.1 grade point average in
Last week against Akron, Moore made his return from his injury when Exercise Physiology.
Ohio faced the Zips at InfoCision Stadium on Oct. 5.
When Moore completes his degree requirements this fall, he plans on
With Moore back in the lineup, the defense dominated the game and pursuing a 13-month second-degree program to at Mount Carmel Hospital were he will look to obtain his B.S. in nursing.
helped Ohio to a convincing 43-3 victory over the Zips.
My first game I kind of had to run out the kinks and soreness but I am I want to be a cardiac rehab nurse, Moore said. I like the heart a lot and
I think its pretty interesting.
feeling good now, Moore said.
His appearance in the game against the Zips marked the end of a gru- Previously Moore has volunteered at the Cardiac Rehab Facility Hearteling rehab program for the Bobcats linebacker and added even more Works at OBleness Hospital and now works at WellWorks at Ohio.
depth to an already talented defensive unit, which has outscored its opI was just a volunteer but they kind of let me do a little more than what
ponent 81-3 in the last two games.
volunteers usually do, Moore said. I got to interact with a lot of people
Coming into this year I had high hopes for our D-line just because we and got close with a few. I just pretty neat to know that I have impacted
were young talent wise, Moore said. I think were all starting to mesh somebodys life.

Linebacker Keith Moore joined the Bobcats program as a walk-on and is now a senior captain
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