Florida leads, but is battling Clemson, others for coveted 4-star receiver TJ Moore

TAMPA, FLORIDA — Does it matter much to 4-star receiver TJ Moore of Tampa Catholic (Fla.) that Florida has a 5-star quarterback (DJ Lagway) on the commitment list for 2024?

“Yeah, honestly, it does,” Moore said. “I’ve seen him play and I know that him throwing me the ball, that’s plenty of touchdowns. He is legit. The way he can throw the ball. And how he can run. In case everybody gets bottled up, he can take off.”

The Gators recently have emerged as Moore’s leader. He’s the No. 26 receiver in the country for the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

But while Florida’s in front it’s not by a lot.

“I’d say Florida right now is a 10. Clemson is like a 9 and a half,” Moore told Gators Online. “(The Gators) really treated me well when I visited. I didn’t think I’d like it. They exceeded my expectations.” 

What stands out with Florida?

“Just the way they show my family love and the way they show me love,” Moore said. “You can definitely tell I’m at the top of their recruiting list.”

The Florida staff has impressed Moore

Moore, listed at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, has hit if off thus far with new Gators receivers coach Billy Gonzales. 

“He’s cool,” Moore said. “I didn’t know too much about him but he had this video .. he had a couple videos. He had a video with him and all his past players and how they treated him as a coach. And him showing us techniques and stuff. Like coming in and out of breaks, running routes and stuff. And I really enjoyed it.”

Also of note, Moore praised David Doeker, Florida’s receivers assistant.

“Coach Doeker is cool,” Moore said.

Moore has not locked down his official visit dates yet, but said he “was thinking of June 9-11” for the Gators. Additionally, “Clemson, Tennessee, USC and Georgia”: will get officials, too.

Moore’s next visit to Florida could be that official, but he noted, “If I have free time, I’ll try to get up there an an unofficial.”

He hasn’t met Lagway, but the two do communicate. 

“We text each other every once in a while. Like every couple of weeks,” Moore said. “He’s just telling me, ‘Come home. Come home. We’ll get you right. We’ll treat you well,” 

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