Gators CB Devin Moore finally healthy and ‘ready to turn it loose’

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — For his first two years at Florida, injuries have held back Devin Moore. Not anymore.

The junior cornerback is “finally healthy” according to UF coach Billy Napier, and it’s showing up in practice.

“He’s got presence out there,” Napier said of Moore.

Moore made his presence known Saturday with one of the top highlights in Florida’s first scrimmage of spring camp. He picked off quarterback DJ Lagway with an athletic play on the ball.

Moore also had a pass breakup in the scrimmage.

“I’m 100 percent healthy,” Moore said, “and I’m ready to turn it loose.”

He hasn’t been able to do that in almost two years. Moore played in the first five games during his freshman season in 2022, but a shoulder injury sidelined him and eventually required surgery.

This time a year ago, Moore spent the entirety of spring ball in a non-contact jersey and missed the Orange & Blue Game as he rehabbed his shoulder. He also missed time during fall training camp.

Once the season arrived, Moore missed a total of five games due to a concussion, an illness and injuries. It was a difficult experience, he said, but made him appreciate “how big of a blessing it is” to be healthy.

“I was definitely at my lowest a few moments between that season, but you know the support I had from my teammates, coaches, training staff,” Moore said. “I took a lot of lessons out of it. How to treat my body weight better, it’s all about the things you eat, all the little things I could do to just prevent any of that stuff from happening.”

The lessons have led to results for Moore. He lost three pounds this offseason and said he got leaner, faster and stronger through the new strength and conditioning program under Tyler Miles.

Moore is also working with a new position coach in Will Harris. He produced the nations’ No. 1 secondary at Washington in 2021 and has harped on technique with the 6-foot-3, 197-pound cornerback.

“At Washington he’s had a few long corners he coached that proved to be very successful, so he’ll compare me to them,” Moore said. “He preaches it just like me, technique. If I can be a great technician, not even have to use any of my physical traits, that’s when the game gets real scary.”

Moore feels Harris has already helped him improve his technique and they’ve put a big emphasis on that in spring camp. His early returns from the first scrimmage were encouraging.

“Just being able to learn from Coach Harris, and everything that he tells me, I’ll write it down, go rep it, work it, all the extra time and work too,” Moore said. “Just bring all the new knowledge he brought and apply it on the field, technique wise.”

Moore finished last season with six tackles, three breakups and an interception in seven games played. He posted an 81.7 coverage grade (per PFF) and made his first career start against Arkansas.

Now Moore takes over as a full-time starter for Jalen Kimber, who transferred to Penn State. What can Florida fans expect from him now that he’s finally healthy and at his best?

“You’re just going to see a guy just giving receivers all they can handle, really,” Moore said. “I like to play really physical, because I feel like I got the speed to run, and then my coaches help me with my technique. Trying to be a real technician and then just have the physical traits on top of it.”