Vols’ Head Coach, Josh Heupel said Moore’s toy drive shows he’s, “full of character.”
Dandridge, Tenn. – ‘Tis the season where high school athletes fulfill life-long dreams of playing collegiate football.
However for one future Vol, National Signing Day served as an opportunity to do more.
On a day that’s full cheer and excitement, Jefferson County’s Nic Moore decided to share that attention with the Appalachian Ministries of the Smoky Mountains by requesting donations for Christmas during his Signing Day.
“It shows that he’s full of character,” said Tennessee’s Head Coach Josh Heupel. “Nic is a great young man. He’s got a great future on the field. But he’s got a real focus on who he wants to become as a man to. And I’m excited to have him and his family apart of this football family.”
Moore said his faith and family inspired him to use his platform to give back to his community.
“I just felt like there was a need in the community, I feel like this need wasn’t being met as much and I wanted to be a part of this to help. And I wanted to leave an impact on the community that’s already given me so much,” said Moore.
With signing day near Christmas, Moore knew this was the right time to give back his community.
“Even though it’s a small county, there are still people in need. Christmas has always been such an important thing to me and my
faith. My family and I felt like it was time to give back to others in need,” said Moore.
That same faith helped lead him to Tennessee.
“It’s helped me through a lot. I’ve really had my compass based on faith and family. That’s two of the most important things to me. Throughout this whole process my mom has encouraged me to pray, don’t go away from God, get closer to God during this process no matter how crazy or amazing things can be going. God had it all planned out from that start,” said Moore.
That same family support surrounded him on his Signing Day as he eagerly inked the dotted line to become a part of the Vol Family.
“I’m excited! It feels unreal right now. This is something that felt so far away at a certain point in time and now it’s right in front of your face. It just feels amazing to be welcomed home into the family,” said Moore.
Part of what sold Moore on the Vols was also the culture Heupel has helped build since arriving on Rocky Top.
“It was the family aspect of it. To me it all seemed like one big family. The coaches got along fine with the players, the players got along great with the players. They communicated very well with each other. It was just like something you can’t get anywhere else, it was just home,” said Moore.
Moore also brings it on the football field and will provide a great boost for the Vols’ offensive line in the coming seasons.
“Smart, tough, competitive, got position flexibility. I already said he’s smart, man, but he’s extremely bright,” said Heupel. “And, you know, for a young guy, he’s got a lot of strength on his frame already. I’m really excited to get him here and he’ll be here in a couple weeks and start progressing and get to work.”
Moore is one of a handful of Tennessee native’s staying in-state to become a Vol. A sign that Heupel and company are making strides in keeping some of the best talent in Tennessee, home.
“When we first got here, I said that developing relationships inside of this state, that’s high school coaches, that’s everybody that has their feet on the ground, was gonna be a real priority for us, and our staff has done that. And we’ve tried to do a great job of evaluating the guys within the state. Doesn’t mean we take every one of them, doesn’t mean we get every one of them, but we’re gonna recruit it the right way,” said Heupel.
Heupel added, “That means time and energy and communication. Our staff from the time that we’ve been here has invested that way. You know, product of who we are on game day, the success of the program, the success of our players, what they’re doing off the field, how they’re being prepared for life, and growing as men while they’re here I think speaks volumes inside of the state for sure, but in this region, I think everybody can see the trajectory of what this program is and the connection and the true culture that we have within it. That makes your career a whole lot easier.”