Moore was going to wait until Friday to announce his
decision, but he said, "Coaches were telling me, you
probably won't change before Friday, so I went ahead
and did it."
It was the visit to Gainesville that sealed the deal
for the 5-10, 199-pounder who runs a 4.45 40-yard
dash. He got a chance to tour the campus, socialize
with players and meet the coaching staff. The entire
trip was one positive experience after another.
"I like the coaches, and the staff," he said. "I liked
the school and the academics. Football wise they are
always ranked high. I think we will be ranked number
two next year."
Moore had developed a good relationship with the
coaches at Oklahoma State, noting "That's why it was
so hard. It was cool there and tight, too. It was
closer and a young staff [than the staff of previous
coach Les Miles]. It was a hard decision."
The coaching staff at UF put the Gators over the top,
though, in the decision making process. He was
impressed with Meyer but also with new running backs
coach Stan Drayton, who only came aboard the Florida
staff a day or two before Moore made his visit to
Gainesville.
"He [Drayton] is good and I liked him," said Moore.
"That was another reason I decided Florida, I wanted
to see the running backs coach and see how I got along
with him. I like that he has coached in the NFL, so he
knows what I have to do to get there and he played
running back."
He described Meyer as a great coach whose vision for
the Gators is one he's ready to subscribe to, saying,
"Next year he is going to have the Gators on top."
Hosted by running back Markus Manson on his visit to
the Florida campus, Moore was accompanied by his
parents, both of whom felt comfortable with the
coaches, the campus and the academics. When it came
time to make his choice, his parents were totally
supportive.
"My mom and dad came on the visit and they loved it,"
said Moore. "That helped make the decision that much
easier."
As a senior, Kestahn Moore ran the ball 132 times for
1,256 yards and 23 touchdowns. He averaged 9.46 yards
per carry. In the classroom he is a 3.4 student. He's
fully qualified with an 830 SAT score.
He is considered a do it all type of back who will fit
in with the rigors of the Urban Meyer offense which
spreads the ball and relies on all the skill players
to run, block and catch.
"I am versatile," said Moore describing his abilities.
"I can run over you, run past you, juke you. I can
catch the ball and block. I do all of it."
When it came time to make the final decision, he said,
"I just felt comfortable there [Florida]. I want to
get to the next level in football and I think I will
have a good opportunity to do that and get my degree
at Florida."
Moore is the sixth commitment for the Gators from the
just recently finished recruiting weekend. He's the
second Texan. David Nelson (wide receiver) from
Wichita Falls Rider committed to the Gators Sunday
morning.