Dabo Swinney on T.J. Moore: 'He's Everything We Hoped He'd Be'
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T.J. Moore arrived at Clemson as one of the most heralded recruits in the nation, and so far, he's living up to the hype in Tiger Town. As the Tigers prepare to take on No. 1 Georgia in their season opener, the freshman wide receiver is turning heads with his impressive skill set and rapid development.
Head coach Dabo Swinney has praised Moore for his natural abilities, signaling that the young star could be a key factor in Clemson's offensive plans this season—but according to the two-time national championship-winning head coach, it’s a lot to take on for any freshman.
Moore, originally from Key West, Florida, was one of the most coveted recruits in the 2024 class. Ranked among the top 100 players nationwide by multiple recruiting services—PrepStar (No. 13), On3 (No. 33), ESPN (No. 92), and 247Sports (No. 98)—his arrival at Clemson was met with excitement and high hopes.
Swinney, never one to shy away from heaping praise on his young players when deserved, spoke highly of Moore's development during his time with the media earlier this week.
"He's a natural like I hoped he would be," Swinney said. "He's got a lot to learn—it's a lot. It's a bunch of installations, six days of installation, but he's everything you want."
Despite the challenges that come with transitioning from high school to college football, Moore has impressed his coaches with his abilities and work ethic.
"He's just a natural when it comes to ball skills and things like that," Swinney added. "He's got a lot on his plate right now from a learning standpoint, but he competes every day, and we just got to keep bringing him along."
One of the biggest tests for Moore will come during Clemson's upcoming scrimmage, where Swinney and his staff will get their first extended look at the freshman in a live-game environment. "I'll be excited to see him get some live work this weekend," Swinney said. "But he's progressing."
While the learning curve remains steep, Moore has the advantage of being surrounded by a talented group of veteran receivers who are helping him acclimate to the college game.
"He's got a good group of guys out there, and mentally, I think he's getting better and better every day," Swinney said. "It's not like spring where it's every other day and installations—it's every single day. So, we're kind of keeping him in one spot right now."
Moore's potential is evident not just in his physical tools but also in his approach to the game. Swinney praised Moore's demeanor, calling him a "low-maintenance kid" who is "exactly what we hoped he'd be."
As Clemson prepares for what promises to be a challenging season opener, the emergence of Moore—along with another freshman wideout Bryant Wesco—as reliable targets in the Tigers' passing game could prove to be a crucial development.
"He's got great skills. He's got good change of direction. He's just a great kid, man. I love his demeanor,” Swinney noted of Moore’s game. “I love just his makeup. He's got a good head on his shoulders. He's got good self-awareness. He just loves to play ball."
With his blend of size, skill, and a growing understanding of Clemson's complex offensive system, Moore is on his way to becoming a contributor for the Tigers as they close in on the kickoff of the 2024 season in Atlanta.
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