Star WR recruit Joshua Moore talks LSU, FSU, and visit plans

NEW ORLEANS — Standing on the sidelines of the Nike Opening Regional Camp in the Crescent City was Joshua Moore, one of the nation’s best receivers.

The four-star receiver from IMG Academy by way of Yoakum, Texas was not participating, having already earned an invite to The Opening Finals, taking place in early July in Portland. Instead, he made the trip to support his brother Jordan, a four-star cornerback committed to Texas A&M who was still looking to get the invite, but didn’t end up earning one.

SB Nation caught up with Josh Moore during the event.

He recently released a top 10 list of schools featuring Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Texas A&M, in no order.

“It wasn’t too hard to get to 10,” Moore said.

To do so, he used a checklist that he and his parents came up with.

“It has three main points. First is relationships, second is best development, and third is setting me up to be successful in my life after football,” Moore said. “I did my research on all my schools.”

But some schools were easier than others to put in his list.

“Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee,” Moore said when asked which schools easily made the cut. The rest are schools in which he still has some interest, but perhaps have some work to do to catch up.

In recent months, Moore has visited Florida State, LSU, Georgia, and Tennessee.

At the camp, Moore had a wardrobe changeup. For the first time at a recruiting event this year, he wore something other than Ohio State gear — Florida State shorts.

Moore was supposed to return to Tallahassee recently for the second time this year with his mother, but he said she got caught up with work. Moore says that the visit with mom is still going to happen. He would like it to be this spring, but said it will likely be over the summer. Moore told SB Nation previously that he has built a great relationship with FSU’s players and coaches.

Moore also has plans to get to Ohio State, and to visit Alabama as well. He has built strong relationships with the Buckeyes and Tide, as well.

Moore visited LSU the day before the New Orleans camp on a beautiful 75-degree spring day. It was important for Moore to meet the new coaching staff.

“It was real good,” Moore said. “Good to go up there and put a name with a face with the new coaching staff. I got to update myself on their campus, and update myself on LSU.

“They told me they have six receivers on scholarship right now, and they want to have 10 total, and to play four at a time. If I was to go there, there is no redshirt for me, especially since coach Joseph told me with my skill set, there is no way they’d do that. I’d have to earn it, but I have the opportunity.”

Moore struggled with the question a bit, but ultimately settled on Tennessee’s Butch Jones.

“I’d say coach [Butch] Jones at Tennessee. He texts me literally every day, like literally every day, he texts my mom and my dad also to check up on them.”

Some schools are recruiting Moore to play offense, some to play defense (cornerback), and some to play both ways. Moore says he has no preference, but would like to try to play on both sides.

Georgia wants Moore on defense. Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas A&M want him to play both ways, he says. Texas, Ohio State, and Florida State want him at receiver.

Going away from home for the first time can be tough, but Moore has been adjusting to the Bradenton (Fla.) boarding school.

“I love IMG. I am getting better each and every day. It was a business decision to leave home for a year.” Moore did say that instead of visiting schools over his spring break, he’ll instead be heading home to spend time with his family.

While there was some speculation that Moore would commit this spring, he says he is taking things easy and isn’t in a rush to make a commitment. The next step in his process after his upcoming visits will be to cut his list down further, and figure out where he’ll take his official visits.

Florida State has been trending for Moore of late, but I don’t believe he’s all that close to making a decision. If LSU’s offense looks competent, the Tigers could become a contender. He already has good relationships at Ohio State and Alabama, as well, despite not visiting. And while he and his twin brother Jordan have both said they are open to doing their own thing separately, playing with Jordan at A&M certainly has some appeal. Then, there’s the matter of his future position — if he suddenly decides he is committed just to receiver or corner, that could shake things up.

Still, I like the chances of at least three or four of Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee being in his final five.