Written By: Drew Johnson (RealNews102)
An early switch to the linebacker position and a pivotal growth spurt helped transform 2024 LB Quinton Moore Jr. into a talented college prospect.
The 6-1, 220-pound senior is now getting some much-deserved attention from Division I college universities after leading Lake Gibson High School in total tackles to finish the regular season (103 total tackles).
Moore credits the transition from wide receiver to middle linebacker for his success but it’s the underdog mentality that fuels his engine to fly around the field as a defensive playmaker.
“Just being overlooked is one of those things all throughout these years,” Moore said. “Being under the radar from everybody and finally getting that attention just makes you want to go harder. Now you got the spotlight on you so, is you gone show up or just lay down.”
Moore has certainly shown up for his team despite the up-and-down season. He shared his thoughts on his time as a Lake Gibson Brave and taking on the leadership role.
“The first two years were really just everything, that’s when we had everybody,” Moore said. “Seeing them, looking up to them was just a blessing overall with the people on the team at that time. Junior and senior year when I got older the younger kids started looking up to me. I just had to transition into that leader for them.”
Moore said the Lake Gibson coaching staff has had a big impact on his journey, specifically the “Boatwright Twins” (Brenden RB Coach & Quinton Boatright LB Coach), in helping him develop into a linebacker.
“As far as training and stuff like that, the Boat Twins have always been there for me,” Moore said. “Brenden was the first one to reach out around the 8th grade summer, that’s what got my speed right and I needed that. Around my 10th and 11th grade years, he let me go with his brother. Linebacker Boat got me to read steps, my drops, got me coming up field. He got me right with that.”
Moore has since developed into one of the top linebacker prospects in the Polk area and is finally starting to get the college attention he deserves as he received a couple of recent D1 offers.
A high-production tackler with a high motor who plays with his heart on his sleeve week in- week out. All of those traits have been put on film for college coaches to evaluate, leading to three recent D1 offers from Lehigh and South Dakota, and Presbyterian College. He also has Culver Stockton, Saint Anselm College, and Butler Community College.
He shared his thoughts on some programs and his relationship with the coaching staff.
South Dakota: To begin with, Coach Hanson came to one of our spring practices and that was one of the best practices I’ve had and he was recording the whole time. He sent it to linebacker coach Elijah Hodge. As soon as he got the film he’s been recruiting me ever since and this has been since May. He’s always told me it’s a process and he’s really showed me how a coach should recruit you. He got in contact with my people. He’s been in contact with me weekly and just started daily as he wants to move forward in the process. Just seeing that, as far as coaches, it’s shown me how coaches should treat the people that they are recruiting.
Saint Anselm: It was just a regular day after summer workouts. I had just got out of summer workouts and he (Joe Adam HC) had just gave me a call. He just offered me on the spot. It was surprising because it was one of my first offers, especially in that manner. It was very surprising but it just showed me that’s how it’s supposed to go.
Schools reaching out: Navy, Bethune-Cookman, Morehouse, Prairie View
What separates you from other linebacker prospects?
“I feel I can do anything within the box for you. I can play the Mike linebacker, I can play the Will or the Sam. I can also come down and blitz if you need me to. Coming to Mike linebacker, I can lead the defense. Using all the knowledge that I know now and being the leader of the field has helped me expand my IQ. I can also move side-to-sideline, I’m to the ball wherever you need me to be.
Plans for the off-season: I’ve already been permitted to leave school a little earlier. So as far as that, I wouldn’t mind going to a school and signing on early signing day, I wouldn’t mind doing that. I’m just going to be in the weight room and try to get a little faster. Just try to keep my weight. It really all depends on how my recruiting goes for the next couple of weeks.
As the regular season concludes for the Braves, Moore is just hungry for an opportunity to develop at the next level. He took time to thank his mom, his biggest fan and supporter for believing in him and the coaches who put time into developing him as a young man on and off the field.
“No.1 it starts with God,” Moore said. “Then my mom, I got to give it to her. She is my number one supporter regardless of anything she’s going to be that voice for me even if I don’t want to be that voice.”
