Former Michigan safety RJ Moten commits to Florida Gators

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•05/02/23•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators landed a commitment from the transfer portal in Michigan safety RJ Moten. Moten will have two years of eligibility remaining when he joins the Gators.

The safety from New Jersey has Florida ties. His father, Ron, played at the University of Florida and was a sixth-round draft choice by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987; played for the team from 1987-91.

Moten was a member of the 2020 recruiting class. Moten appeared in just one game during the shortened 2020 season, appearing on special teams against Wisconsin. He appeared in all 14 games with five starts at safety and also contributed on special teams in 2021. Moten made 34 tackles and broke up four passes including one interception to earn his second varsity letter.

Moten posted a picture of him and his father on Instagram from his official visit. He captioned it “this one hit deeper , let’s do it.🐊.” Ron Moten hadn’t been back to Gainesville for a game since his playing days. That will end this fall when he gets to watch his son, RJ, put on the same uniform and run out of the same tunnel he did as a linebacker for the Gators.

Scouting Report on Moten

The Wolverine writer Anthony Broome wrote this about Moten after

“To be frank, there is not a ton of surprise with Moten’s decision to transfer, either. Makari Paige passed him on the depth chart to emerge as a starter last season next to Rod Moore, and not a lot took place this spring to reverse that trajectory. If anything, the competition at safety has gotten stiffer with sophomore Zeke Berry making a charge throughout spring ball. Berry is a versatile ballhawk that can also slide into a role at nickel and he seems like the biggest beneficiary of Moten’s departure from Michigan.

Moten is more of a tweener-type of player that can float between a box safety role or bulking up and playing linebacker. There will be a role for him somewhere and he could likely slot into a Power 5 roster and start immediately. Nobody at Michigan was kicking him out the door, but Berry and sophomore Keon Sabb have created more competition at the position. Look for more of them this fall with a spot open for a third safety on the field.”

Stay tuned to Gators Online for more coverage of this breaking story.

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