Introduction by Lee Brecheen
April 14, 2011 - There were two gifted tall Wide Receivers in Louisiana for the 2012 class that I saw in 2010-2011 season. One was Alonzo Moore from Winnfield High School and the other was Dwayne Benjamin from Northside High School in Lafayette, and a third with the best hands was Mark Laird from Ouachita Christian. I saw 12 to 15 kids in Louisiana last year that could be slot Wide Receivers that stand 5-9 to 5-11 and run under 4.5 in the forty, and will go DI, but I saw three that were over 6-2 in height with all the intangibles. Those three were Mark Laird (6-2, Ouachita Christian), Dwayne Benjamin (6-3, Northside), and Alonzo Moore (6-2, Winnifeld), and one who is 6-1, Travin Dural from Breaux Bridge who also has a lot of talent.
I saw Alonzo Moore as a wildcat at QB, and wow he looks good doing that. He was also a Wide Receiver and a big time Defensive Back when he played certain games to help the team there. This kid I will say was the most versatile of any I saw overall in Louisiana. I saw six full games of Alonzo Moore, and what was evident in all the games, is he was a man among boys anytime the ball got in his hands. Alonzo catches the deep pass really well. He gets open for his QB, (hard to jam at the line by a DB), and doesn’t shy away from contact.
The bottom line is he’s the best player to come out of Winnfield since A–train, Anthony Thomas (6-2, 230 pounds) who went on to star for the university of Michigan and was an All American in college. I think he’s the most athletic kid to come out since Jeffrey Dale who was a 6-3, 215 pound FS for LSU in the 1980’s and who was one of the best safeties I ever saw play to this day. Alonzo Moore high jumps 6-6 in Track.
Some tall Wide Receivers are Willie Gault’s , who for the young reader under 30 was a 4.2/40 guy who ran track and made ALL American in college as a WR at Tennessee and played several years in the NFL. Other tall Wide Receivers are deceptive in speed run in the 4.45 range, but look faster on a football field than a stop watch. Well that’s Alonzo Moore. He’s fast on grass and turf, glides and always stretches out because of his long lean frame for several yards every play in any game. He can make short routes, long runs and he catches the post pass like an NFL Wide Receiver. I love his effort too for a talented big guy. He always seems to make more out of a play than what he should, and his ability to out jump anyone in the air is special to watch for the football. I counted 7 plays in 6 games that Alonzo turned catches into gains over 50 yards or more in 2010.
Alonzo will be a 200 pound kid in college, and it’s scary how good he can be in DI football. I’m excited to see how many long runs Alonzo will have in 2011 season, and excited to see him and his RB teammate Trey Gilbert, who’s also DI, play in 2011 as major weapons for any defense to contain.
Good luck to Alonzo Moore and his team for the 2011 season. I look forward to seeing him play hopefully in the NFL one day. I hope you enjoy the following interview written by our talented writer Taylor Williams.
Interview by Taylor Williams
LAFM: When did you start playing football?
AM: About three years ago.
LAFM: What have you come to like about it in that short period of time?
AM: Playing as a team, motivating people, making big plays when we need, and putting my teammates in the right position to make plays.
LAFM: What are you trying to improve most before the next level?
AM: I’ve gotta get stronger and faster if I want to play on the next level. I think that’s my weakness right now. But I think that when we need a big play, I’m feel like I’m the guy who can step up and make it.
LAFM: And how important is it to stay close to home at the next level?
AM: Very important. I definitely want to stay in Louisiana.
LAFM: Have you had family members play any sports in college?
AM: I had a brother committed to North Carolina, but it didn’t work out, so I want to be the first in my family to play and stay close to home.
LAFM: So what are some schools you’ve gotten looks from?
AM: LSU, ULL, Tulane, LA Tech, Southeastern- a lot of local schools. I grew up watching LSU though and that’s my top choice.
LAFM: Would you change positions between high school and college?
AM: No, I think I’d still go as a wide receiver; I haven’t been recruited for anything else.
LAFM: Have you thought about what you might study in college?
AM: Not really at this point.
LAFM: Enough about college, what are your and your team’s goals for this season?
AM: As for me contributing to the team in my last year, taking us to State is the goal. As a team, we’re looking to get better and make it further than last year, when we lost in the third round. That’s the furthest we’ve ever made it.
LAFM: What’s it like playing for your current head coach?
AM: My freshman year, I was young and really didn’t know too much about the game. As I started progressing and learning the things I know now, he became like a family member to me. He’s fun to be around and play for, and I know can ask him anything and he’ll give me a good answer.
LAFM: What’s your biggest rivalry or game you enjoy the most?
AM: Well, they say Jonesboro High was our rival for many years, but the games that really get me motivated are the ones against big schools that are really talented. Going against talent really motivates me.
LAFM: What about games and moments that stand out at this point in your career?
AM: Our last playoff game in the third round against St. Charles, I think I set a record with seven catches for about 250 yards and four touchdowns.
LAFM: There must have been some bombs in there. Would you say the deep threat is a big strength of yours?
AM: Absolutely, maybe my biggest strength. I can run the vertical routes and stretch the field.
LAFM: Do you put that athleticism to work in other sports?
AM: I’m a guard on the basketball team, and Northwestern Stare has recruited me for that. And I do high jump on the track team.
LAFM: What are your current height, weight, and forty time?
AM: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, and a 4.4.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
