Leonard Moore Ready To Seize Opportunity in Sugar Bowl
All season long, Notre Dame — especially on the defensive side — has had a next man-up mentality. That mentality is shown no better than in true-freshman Leonard Moore, who was thrust on the field following Benjamin Morrison’s season-ending injury.
The lengthy corner has been a standout all year, and showed up big in the Irish’s win over Indiana on Dec. 20.
“It's honestly kind of crazy,” Moore said. “I definitely wouldn't have expected to be in this position at the beginning of the season, but I'm blessed to be here.”
Head coach Marcus Freeman has been preaching all season that everybody has to prepare the right way so that when their number is called, they’re ready. Moore has been a shining example of Freeman’s message.
“I feel like everybody has — or at least me, I have a mindset of just always, even before he got hurt, just preparing like the starter,” Moore said. “Obviously, nothing’s guaranteed, so granted the time that somebody goes down, you always gotta be ready for your opportunity.”
It helps that Moore has forged a special relationship with the man he replaced, Morrison. The projected NFL first round draft pick went down with a hip injury in an October game against Stanford. Despite the injury, Morrison has been there every step of the way to make sure Moore is ready for primetime.
“(Morrison) knows a lot about the game, and he’s been through this before,” Moore said. “He’s played at a high level for three years, so he’s a huge resource to have. I’ve roomed with him at games, too, so I talked to him about the receivers, about the team that we’re playing, about my assignments and stuff like that. He always helps.”
In Notre Dame’s most recent game with Indiana, Moore was primarily covering Elijah Sarratt in downfield situations. Quarterback Kutris Rourke targeted Moore multiple times on back shoulder fades intended for Sarratt. Moore allowed just one reception on six targets for 17 yards, dominating in coverage anytime Rourke looked his way.
“Even just this last game, when we’re watching Sarratt play,” Moore said. “(Morrison) just told me, Sarratt’s not gonna try to beat me over the top, but on those back shoulder fades, he just tries to get into the body and push me off to get the ball. So I guess that paid off, for sure.
“Just goes into preparation and watching film and knowing the receiver you’re guarding. Definitely going into that week, we did a lot of back shoulder work in practice and it definitely paid off when we got to the game.”
Going into the playoffs, Moore and the Irish knew opponents were going to come after the freshman corner — which proved to be a mistake for the Hoosiers.
“I've learned, in the playoffs, teams are definitely going to attack corners, on the outside, especially in the defense we're in, which we've known all season,” Moore said. “Going into this game, I just know that I have to be prepared. I have to be able to deny my man.
“I feel like teams obviously would want to target a freshman, to see if he is composed and poised.”
The challenge for the young corner is only going to get tougher, and on a lot bigger of a stage. Even though Georgia will be without quarterback Carson Beck, the Bulldogs are still chock-full of weapons. Gunnar Stockton will step in for the injured Beck and provides a more mobile option at the position. The sophomore held his own in the second half of the SEC Championship, completing 12 of 16 passes to go along with an interception.
“We definitely talked a lot about that,” Moore said. “I think it’s just knowing what they want to do with him in the offense, how the offense changes from Carson Beck to him. We feel like he’s more of a running threat than Carson Beck was, so our mindset definitely shifts a little bit. But at the end of the day, it’s still the same mindset of denying my man, whoever I’m guarding.”
Moore will be tasked with defending Arian Smith. The speedy wide receiver has 47 receptions for 750 yards this season.
“Gotta adjust my mindset and not necessarily adjust my technique," Moore said. “Instead of playing for the back shoulder fade, obviously playing for the ball to go over the top. Which is definitely an adjustment, going against a really fast receiver like he is. But obviously, it starts in practice, in preparation.”
Moore has given Notre Dame every reason to believe he’ll be ready to step up in the biggest moments, and he has another opportunity to prove himself Jan. 1 in the Sugar Bowl.
“I feel like just always keeping a level head and keeping my composure allows me to handle big moments and just being a mature individual general and knowing my assignment helps me to take care of that,” Moore said.
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