by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Coach Ed Orgeron and Kayshon Boutte were both quoted as saying that not only had LSU's receivers re-instituted the Summer of 10,000 Catches for the 2021 off-season, but that second year wide out Koy Moore had already eclipsed 6,000 himself...
That was in April...
When Nationally renowned recruiting dynamo Julie Boudwin called him the "hardest working player she's ever covered", it was quite the statement, too.
However, more than statements or talk, the former Rummel High Raider WR has been combining with QB Max Johnson and fellow receiver Kayshon Boutte to throw as much as possible throughout the off-season, out-working many of his peers and raising the overall level of his teammates.
When you look at his spare production from last year (rarely used at 177 yards, 22 catches, 0 TDs) compared to the intensive work he's clocking in the conditioning tests and workout programs, you have to feel Koy Moore isn't just a standout piece of Mickey Joseph's receiving corps...he's blessed, even built with the capabilities to become LSU's #2 guy and beyond.
He's always had the talent...but whether his athletic potential becomes a live wire act of ultimate savagery remains up to him.
Next to the New Iberian Madman Kayshon Boutte himself, or 2019 veterans such as Jaray Jenkins, Jontre Kirklin & Trey Palmer who are expected to pop, as well as a group of five dominant freshmen WRs (Jack Bech, Deion Smith, Chris Hilton, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas), the wide receiving room will be considerably crowded, with each rep hotly contested....every position up for grabs...
Will the best man cometh?
Taking on the legendary #2 jersey, a number worn by strong Tiger receivers such as Demetrious Byrd or Justin Jefferson, Moore is stepping up to the plate via his every action this off-season...but can he take the final step, positioning himself as a sure-fire starter amongst Mickey Joseph's collection of uber talents??
Establishing himself as a friend of second year quarterback Max Johnson over the past season and a half, all while the quarterback and receiver have grown their chemistry together this off-season, Koy could be a strong complimentary target for either Myles or Max; alongside his tight knit brotherhood with his fellow receivers, Koy has risen to a leader amongst Coach O's 2021 Tigers set up.
He's proven his team-first ethos through toughness, selflessness, and sacrifice this past Spring:
When nearly every LSU running back, except Josh Williams, went down injured, LB Nick Demas turned into a RB and carried the ball 32 times in a single scrimmage. When Demas needed a breather, especially afrer Williams also went down with an injury, someone had to convert into a running back.
Coach Ed Orgeron told Off The Bench that Koy Moore and Jontre Kirklin both volunteered and said "whatever the team needs, Coach".
Though Moore and Kirklin's backfield cameos were supposed to be only a few reps to finish off the scrimmage, Koy rattled off the best runs of the night, sprinting out of the backfield with velocity, violence and surprising power....(he did average 7.0 yards per carry at Rummel).
Suddenly, through a young team leader's act of One Team One Heartbeat-bleeding unselfishness, Offensive Coordinator Jake Peetz and his assistant D.J Mangas spotted a new, potentially promising wrinkle to their offense.
Even with a fit and firing Ty Davis-Price running well during the Spring Game, by the 4th quarter, Peetz deployed Moore out of the backfield and in a variety of RPO set ups.
Because of the formation's unpredictable alignment, plus Koy's elusive movements, LSU's new #2 gained efficient chunks of yardage as well as displaying a physicality when busting through contact.
While many are justifiably excited about Kayshon Boutte's second year Biletnikoff-aiming eruption or marvel at the stacks of dynamic freshman receivers, due to his own sacrifice, Koy is making himself a versatile and potentially key part of Peetz's offense, both as a catcher and rusher....but I think Coach Peetz may find even more creative, maybe even unorthodox ways to utilize Moore.
PROJECTIONS:
37 receptions
673 yards
7 TDs
181 yards rushing
1 rushing TD
With so many guys and only one ball to spread around, that's probably as high as I can go for predicting Koy's 2021 season.
Everything I'm projecting shows Moore becoming a reliable, efficient, big-play making intermediary master.
He will catch big first downs for LSU, chip in with some massive touchdowns, but he will suffer from the uber competition around him.
Still, if he's able to really and truly be the #2 guy, always on the field, he could very well grab a 1,000 yard, 10 TD season under Jake Peetz.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
SHOUTOUTS: LET'S GEAUX KOY!!!!