Moore Looks to Build off Solid Freshman Campaign
5/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
By: Jake Spitz - Media Relations Student Assistant
D.J. Moore had an extremely successful freshman campaign in College Park. The wide receiver from Philadelphia was one of Maryland's biggest offensive threats in 2015, playing in all 12 games and starting the final 10.
His success did not come without a lot of hard work and preparation.
“I focused on technique a lot,” Moore said. “That helped me get on the field quicker and show my ability.”
That ability enabled him to lead the Terps with three touchdowns, as well as a total of 25 catches and 357 yards – both were good for second-best on the team.
Moore has always flown under-the-radar, which has put a chip on his shoulder to prove people that he belongs playing in one of the nation's toughest football conferences.
“Towards the end of the season I started to play more,” he explained. “I noticed I started receiving a lot more attention, which is a challenge I'm expecting this year.”
The 2016 season will bring another test for Moore and his offensive teammates due to the new style Offensive Coordinator Walt Bell has brought to College Park.
“We're really trying to get accustomed to the tempo,” Moore said. “That has been the biggest adjustment. We have been able to understand the plays and formations; it will just take some time getting used to the new tempo. I definitely think we'll be clicking on all cylinders soon though.”
Maryland's Spring Game gave the offense an opportunity to try Bell's high-tempo offense in a game setting for the first time.
“We handled the pace pretty well and had a lot of big offensive plays in that game,” he said. “We have a lot more conditioning to do but we were all happy to be out there in a game playing that style.”
Like a lot of his teammates, Moore has also adjusted quickly to the DJ Durkin era of Maryland football. Durkin's intensity is contagious, and Moore said it was noticeable from the first day Durkin arrived on campus.
“On the first day of practice everyone was extremely excited and we were all flying around the field,” he said. “It was a new experience and their energy carried over to all of us.”
Durkin's energetic attitude has affected Moore and his teammates on and off the field.
“The energy in the building has been higher than ever,” he explained. “Even if we show up at 5 a.m. for a workout or study hall they have that energy that gives us energy to be successful.”
With Moore's success last year, Big Ten teams will begin to give him a lot more attention in his sophomore season. Moore hopes to continue growing and developing as a player when his role becomes even more prominent this season.
“I want to keep building and help my team get to where we want to be in the Big Ten,” he said. We're starting to build something special here. This will be a big summer for us and I know we're ready to put in the work.”
-Terps-
