Another piece of the puzzle that is the UCLA football team’s offseason has fallen into place. Unfortunately for the Bruins, this piece of the puzzle leaves them without an All-American defender.
Junior free safety Rahim Moore has decided to forgo his senior season at UCLA and enter the 2011 NFL Draft.
“I wish I could stay at UCLA for as long as I can, but the NFL is a dream, and I have to pursue it,” Moore said. “I’ve been waiting 20 years for this.”
Moore’s decision comes after teammate Akeem Ayers made the same move on Jan. 3. Moore said his decision to leave wasn’t affected by Ayers’.
Both Ayers and Moore were quiet about their intentions in the days following the Dec. 4 loss to USC and said that they were going to take their time.
“I really felt in my heart that this was going to be my last one at UCLA,” Moore said of his thoughts before the USC loss. “I wish we could have come out with a W, but I just said, “˜Rahim, it’s time to move on.’ I have no regrets. I love UCLA from the bottom of my heart. I love the players and the tradition, and I’m leaving, but I still bleed blue and gold.”
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel thanked Moore for his three years at UCLA. Moore’s first season was also Neuheisel’s first season as the Bruins’ coach.
“We certainly thank him for all of his contributions to the program and support his decision to take the next step in his career,” Neuheisel said in a press release.
Moore started every game he played as a Bruin and exploded onto the college football scene during his sophomore season in 2009 by leading the nation in interceptions with 10. He finished the 2010 season with only one interception, but that was partly attributed to quarterbacks staying away from his side of the field.
He also earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons, as well as first-team All-America honors from Scout.com in 2009 and the Sporting News in 2010.
“I told myself before every snap that I want these fans to remember me as one of, if not the best safeties to ever come out of here,” Moore said. “I think I’ve done a great job as far as being mentioned in that category.”
ESPN’s Scouts Inc. has Moore as the 36th-ranked player in the draft class, and the No. 1 safety.
Moore said he has heard a myriad of different opinions on where he will end up in the draft but that he made the decision on his own. He has left UCLA and begun his training regimen to prepare for the draft.
“The way I look at the draft is, it’s all on you,” Moore said. “You can either help yourself or hurt yourself. … So right now, I’m all about helping myself: getting better with my footwork, strength, core, speed, everything I can think of to try to be a better NFL player.”
True freshman Dietrich Riley is expected to fill the void left by Moore. Riley played in 11 of UCLA’s 12 games this season and recorded 21 tackles.
Moore said he plans on coming back to UCLA next spring to continue to work on his degree and that he plans on remaining tied to the football program at UCLA.
“I’m going to be around UCLA forever,” Moore said. “As long as I’m alive, I will always be there in my heart.”