FAU Football: OT Commit Cornelius Moore Talks Recruitment, Skillset, and Growth

Even in the modern era of college football, development is a key selling point for so many players. And for Cornelius Moore, it was one of the main selling points when looking at the FAU football program.

FAU Football: OT Commit Cornelius Moore Talks Recruitment, Skillset, and Growth

A Chicago native, Moore chose Florida Atlantic over San Diego State and Howard, among other schools. When I asked him what went into the decision, the offensive lineman cited relationships and the opportunity to develop.

“The biggest thing was the relationship I built with the coaching staff, especially Coach Hamby. I felt like they really believed in me and had a plan for how they wanted to develop me. When I got on campus for my official visit, everything felt right. I liked the environment, the people, the facilities, and where the program is headed. It felt like a place where I could grow as a football player and as a person, and that really sold me,” said Moore.

“Recruiting was exciting, but it could be stressful too because you’re trying to figure out what’s actually the best fit for you. FAU stood out because they were consistent. They didn’t just recruit me because of my size or what they saw on film. They took time to build a relationship with me and my family and explain how I fit into what they’re building. I always felt like I was a priority to them.”

For a player like Moore, who has a very firm sense of what he wants in a program, learning about the journey is always fun. The offensive lineman, when asked about his path in football, gave plenty of love to the people who have already helped him up to this point.

“My family has been a huge part of it, and I’ve had a lot of coaches and people around me who have pushed me and believed in me. Coach (Abdullah) Asad and the coaches at King have challenged me to understand that having talent isn’t enough. They’ve pushed me to work, be accountable, and prepare myself for college. I’m grateful for everybody who’s invested time in me because I know I didn’t get to this point by myself.”

Love of the Game

Additionally, Cornelius Moore provided some great insight into how he fell in love with the game of football.

“My journey has really been about development. I’ve always been a big kid, but being big doesn’t automatically make you a good offensive lineman. I had to learn how to use my size, become more physical, improve my technique and understand the game,” said Moore.

“Once I started seeing myself get better and realized what I could become if I really worked at it, that’s when I fell in love with football. Now I enjoy the process of getting better just as much as playing the games.”

When one flips on Moore’s tape, the ability of the offensive lineman stands out right away. The King College Prep product is a force in the run game, and when he gets to pass protect, he clamps down against pass rushers and erases them. Moore, when asked about his mentality as a run blocker, dove into his process when facing different players.

“My mentality is that I am going forward. I want to get movement and finish my block. But every defender is different. Against a bigger, stronger guy, I know I have to win leverage and use my hands and power. Against a quicker guy, I have to be patient with my feet and not overextend. The mentality stays physical, but the technique changes depending on who’s across from me.”

As a result, Moore’s favorite play should not be a surprise in the slightest.

“Duo. When Duo gets called, I know we have a chance to get downhill and be physical. As an offensive lineman, that’s the type of play you love because you get an opportunity to come off the ball, move people, and let the running back work off of us.”

Moore’s relentless approach has to be paired with the right mentality. And ahead of games, the offensive lineman leans on one artist in particular.

“Before games, I stay locked in, listen to NBA YoungBoy, and get in that aggressive mindset. I keep my energy focused, block out distractions, and get ready to handle business on the field.”

In pass protection, the Chicago native still uses his strength and power, but he combines that with an understanding that he can take a different approach.

“My biggest thing is patience. At my size and with my length, I don’t need to chase defenders,” said Moore.

“Against a power rusher, I have to play with a good base, anchor and use my hands. Against speed, it’s about my set, staying square and making them go the long way around me. I’ve learned that pass protection isn’t always about trying to dominate somebody. Sometimes winning is just keeping your quarterback clean.”

Considering his size and physical skills, the player Moore tries to model himself after should be no surprise.

“I like watching Trent Williams because of how he uses his size and athleticism. I pay attention to his footwork, how patient he is in pass protection, and how he finishes in the run game.”

It is clear that, even at the beginning of his senior season, Moore has a great grasp of his skillset and his overall game. And when it comes to his growth, the FAU commit provided some great answers regarding his play on the field and his leadership.

“Film has helped slow the game down for me. I’m starting to recognize fronts, alignments, and things defenders do before the snap. I can also watch myself and see things that I might not notice during the game: pad level, hand placement, footwork or where my eyes are. The more film I watch, the less I’m guessing on the field.

I’d say my biggest growth has been my leadership. Specifically, it has been making my teammates better and raising their levels of play. This summer I’ve really worked on my body, conditioning, and footwork. I’m trying to become a complete offensive lineman and prepare myself for what college football is going to demand from me.”

Outside of football, Moore said that he likes to stay active. In particular, he spoke about his love of basketball.

“My favorite thing to do outside of football is play basketball. I enjoy competing, staying active, and playing with my friends. It’s a great way for me to have fun and take my mind off football. Most people don’t know I’m a walking bucket.”

From the way he speaks about his recruitment, growth as a player, and his overall skill set, Moore knows exactly what he can do and what is possible for him to accomplish. And in 2026, the King College Prep product is locked in on his goals for his senior season.

“The biggest goal is winning. I want us to have a great senior season and compete for a championship. Individually, I want to be the best offensive lineman I can be, dominate every week, and become more consistent in every part of my game. I also want to be a leader for our younger guys. I’ve already made my college decision, so now my focus isn’t recruiting. It’s finishing what I started at King, helping my teammates win, and making sure I’m prepared when I get to FAU.”

Moore is in a position to have a great 2026 season to close out his high school career. And with continued growth and progression as an overall player, he will arrive in Boca Raton as an offensive lineman with the ceiling to be a very key contributor for the Owls.