Texas WR DeAndre Moore channels what he learned from Jordan Whittington into brilliant showcase for Longhorns
Moore followed Whittington all last season and now mirrors the team-first workhorse
If you have any doubt about the culture Texas is building under coach Steve Sarkisian, look at DeAndre Moore Jr.
Last season, Moore spent his freshman year behind Jordan Whittington, a team-first workhorse who epitomized everything you’d want in a selfless contributor who turned himself into a Los Angeles Rams draft pick.
What did the California transplant learn from the native Texan?
“I’ll be doing my team of disservice if I didn’t go out there and give my all, whether it be in running routes, blocking, special teams, whatever it may be,” Moore said after the Mississippi State win. “I’m going to do my part.”
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Moore had a Whittington type of day Saturday against Vanderbilt: two touchdown catches, six catches total for a team-high 97 yards, one amazing over-the-shoulder catch to down a punt at the 1-yard line and one critical catch of an onside kick to end the 27-24 victory.
All of this happened in game eight for someone who didn’t have a single pass even thrown his way in the first two games this season.
“I thought DeAndre Moore played a fantastic football game,” Sarkisian said before going on a long explanation of how he admires Moore’s work ethic.
“I thought DeAndre did something that was very mature last season. I think he realized, OK, I’m not a frontline guy, and how do I learn from the guys that do it the right way? He literally watched Jordan Whittington every day and has tried to emulate Jordan Whittington every day.
“And we all know how I feel, and everybody in our organization feels, about J-Whitt and the leadership he provided his willingness to do the dirty work. It wasn't about the stats ever for him. DeAndre came into this season in spring ball, in summer, in training camp, with that same mentality.”
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Sarkisian noted that Moore didn’t have a catch or target the first two games. “But he was starting in the same role that J-Whitt was playing and never did he lose that leadership, lose that energy, willing to do the dirty work. And now he's had some games where he's really reaped the benefits of just staying positive, continuing to work.”
Moore got his first touchdown catch against UTSA and then had two more against Mississippi State along with his first 100-yard receiving day.
Whittington was all about keeping the right positive mindset and just keep working. Moore, a California native with boundless energy, should keep doing it the same way.
“But I know this,” Sarkisian added. “He has got a ton of respect in that locker room from his peers about the work ethic, what he puts into it, the team player that he is, his willingness to play on special teams. So I think everybody’s happy and excited for him, but also I think he's earned that voice because of what he does. And so when he speaks up, I really think our team listens.”
