Top 2023 DE Jason Moore Hasn't Changed Despite National Recruitment
2023 DeMatha (Md.) defensive end Jason Moore isn't looking for the spotlight and to a point, the four-star prospect has done everything to stay out of it.
Will Weathers, DeMatha's defensive line coach, has known the 6-foot-6, 255-pounder dating back to eighth grade and Moore has remained the same down-to-earth kid through the years.
"He's quiet," Weathers told ISD. "When you first meet him, he's going to be very quiet and very reserved. He's going to watch to find out who you are, but once he opens up to you, Jason's a good kid.
"He can be funny at times, but he's about his business most of the time. He's not a boisterous person, but in his circle, that's when he's going to open up to guys a lot more. He's an amazing kid."
If you want to fire up Moore, bring up basketball.
Moore's basketball days are over despite having Power Five potential, but the game still holds a special place in his heart.
"Anyone who questions him about anything related to basketball - that's when he goes off," laughed Weathers. "If someone said, 'Jason, you're sorry at basketball.' He'll let them have it because he was a basketball player. He'll get passionate about stuff like that."
The decision to give up basketball was tough, but Moore always knew it was coming. There might have been times this season where Moore second-guessed it, but he turned it into a positive and went to work.
"Jason has always known he was going to stop playing at a specific point," Weathers stated. "Football is his sport. It didn't bother him. Jason is a team guy. He loves his teammates, so when the basketball wasn't playing well, it pissed him off and that motivated him to play just because he wanted to help.
"But all he did was double down in the gym and went to work."
Weathers has also noticed Moore coming out of his shell in recent months as he points to one moment where the DeMatha star asserted his upperclassman status to a freshman.
"Guys keep their helmets throughout their four years, so he wanted a specific helmet and a freshman tried to grab it," explained Weathers. "It was the first time he showed his senior leadership. He was like, 'Hold up. That's me.'
"I looked at him and it made me chuckle. He's a big 6-foot-6 kid saying hold up. It was funny to see him do stuff like that and watch him grow. He wouldn't have said anything as a freshman or sophomore."
Moore might be quiet in social settings, but a flip is switched on the field as he turns into one of the nation's top defensive linemen.
"On game day, he's a different dude," stated Weathers. "He turns into a 'He can't block me' guy.
"If you watch the Good Counsel playoff game, Jason carried the defense. First play of the game, batted ball. The second play of the game, batted ball. He got a strip touchdown that game. He did everything."
And despite all the recruiting attention, Weathers gives Moore a ton of credit as his star player has remained the same through it all.
"He's been the same kid," said Weathers. "He gets a little excited with certain schools, but he's never going to be too high or too low.
"Jason isn't one of those kids who can't wait to go on a visit to put on a uniform. It was more important for him to go watch his brother (Justin Moore/Villanova) play basketball than go to all these Junior Days. He's been a delight."
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