Maryland Football: DJ Moore Declares for the NFL Draft

As we all expected, D.J. Moore is forgoing his senior season and entering the 2018 NFL Draft. This should come as no surprise to Terps fans, but nonetheless it is still a tough pill to swallow. D.J. was the best talent we’ve seen since Stefon Diggs and many could argue Moore, at least as a college athlete, was the better talent of the two.
What D.J. did in 2017, his junior season at Maryland, was nothing short of extraordinary. He was someone everyone knew of coming into this season, but he really came into his own and had a breakout season in what will be his last as a Terp. Moore finished the season with 80 receptions for 1033 yards and 8 touchdowns. Moore somehow managed to average 13 yards per completion with a myriad of QB’s throwing to him.
Maryland has struggled at the QB position for what seems like a decade, and Moore’s time at Maryland was no different. His freshman year he saw everyone from Perry Hills to Caleb Rowe to Shane Cockerille…yes the same Shane Cockerille who is now the starting LB. It was much of the same in his sophomore season with Caleb Rowe, Perry Hills, and Max Boretenschlager getting reps.
Moore’s junior season was supposed to be different with Maryland finally having depth at the QB position with Tyrell Pigrome and freshman phenom Kasim Hill both on the roster. Well we all know how that worked out. Both QBs went out with ACL injuries in the first 3 games of the season and we were back to the old normal. Moore did with Max Bortenschlager, Caleb Henderson, and Ryan Brand what other top WRs in the conference couldn’t do with their starters.
Moore’s spectacular season did not go unnoticed as he was elected to the first team all Big Ten alongside the likes of Saquon Barkley and J.T. Barrett. A much deserved award for one of the best all-around players in the country.
Moore took to Twitter to announce his decision and thank Terps fans for the support. He defended his decision by stating:

"What weighed on my mind the most was that nothing is ever guaranteed in life and that you should always take advantage of every opportunity that you come across."

No one can blame D.J. for going out and taking advantage of his high stock and taking a shot at the NFL, a place where many think he will be very successful. Don’t be surprised if you see him taken on Day 2 in the 2nd or 3rd round. He is that good.
All of Maryland should thank D.J. Moore for an incredible career and bringing some light to an otherwise dark season.