As a three-star running back recruit out of Florida, Fabian Moreau caught the attention of college scouts with his speed and athleticism. Now the junior cornerback is standing out by, well, not standing out.
“I don’t notice him and I think that’s a good thing,” said coach Jim Mora. “(Receivers) don’t catch the ball on him. He makes some really good plays on the ball, some good interceptions.”
In his three years since arriving at UCLA, Moreau has yet to receive a handoff. Instead the converted cornerback has shined in the team’s defensive backfield. As a sophomore a year ago, he was named an honorable mention all-conference player. Now in his second year starting at the position, Mora believes the former ball carrier can be one of the top players on the defensive side of the ball.
”I think Fabian is on the verge of being a great cornerback, and I’m not using that word lightly,” Mora said. “I think he is on the verge of being a great cornerback – like one of the best in college football. If he has the kind of year that I think he is capable, he’s an All-American.”
It’s high praise for a player who admittedly is still learning the position. Moreau said the biggest transition for him has been learning to play backward and that he focused much of his offseason efforts on refining his backpedal and studying receivers. He added that he spent time watching film with defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin and working out with fellow cornerback, junior Ishmael Adams.
In learning his new position, Moreau was bent on leaving his old one behind.
“I had to get running back out of my head, erase that I ever played running back and start from scratch and just learn how to master the position, watch film, just learn how to be a corner.” Moreau said.
Thus far he seems to have taken to corner naturally. Mora said that Moreau’s 6-foot-1 and 202-pound frame is “built like you want a corner to be built” and certainly appears to have all the physical tools to excel at the position. However, if Moreau is to truly develop into one of college’s top defensive backs it will be because of that same mental fortitude he showed in being able to switch positions in the first place.
“He’s got a demeanor about him that I think every corner has to have, and it’s kind of like the last play just kind of – poofs – disappears from his mind,” Mora said. “He just stays right in the moment and that’s what the great corners do.”
And the expectation for Moreau is clearly to be great. Mora went as far as to say that he hasn’t seen anybody on film that has the potential the developing corner has. However Moreau deflected when asked about the high expectations surrounding him, electing to focus on the next play and the next practice rather than the possibilities that may lie down the road. Still, that didn’t stop his coach from voicing them.
“I really do believe that’s an NFL corner,” Mora said, pointing to the player in question. “If he keeps developing the way he’s developing, he’s a surefire first round pick. I mean, I’d take him in the first round and I’ve coached some pretty good corners, too.”
Room for one more?
The crowded UCLA running back position appears much the same as it did a year ago. The unit returns redshirt senior Jordon James, redshirt junior Steven Manfro and redshirt sophomore Paul Perkins, all of whom saw significant playing time last season. Throw in redshirt freshman Craig Lee, who is probably the most explosive of the four, and it remains to be seen if the Bruins will have a true number one back. In running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu’s estimation, he has four.
“I think they are all number one backs, and that’s how I’m trying to train them,” Polamalu said. “In our fast tempo … they’re gonna all play.”
One player, however, who has yet to play the position this April is sophomore linebacker Myles Jack. Last year’s Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year has been noticeably absent from the position group. Jack has yet to receive a carry in spring practice and hasn’t participated in any running back drills thus far. But it certainly isn’t for lack of trying on Polamalu’s part.
“December I got hired, February, now its April, I haven’t gotten anywhere (in letting Jack play offense),” Polamalu said, adding that he has directly appealed to Mora. “I haven’t given up … but I’ve been told, ‘Stay away from him.’ Would I love to have him? What coach wouldn’t?”