Moore was voted the team's most inspirational player last season.

Hampered by preseason knee problems and used mostly to contain the run, he still managed to break free from blockers to registered 9.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including a career-high five quarterback sacks as a senior.

At Houston County High School, Moore earned USA Today, EA Sports, Super Prep, Parade and Pre Star All-American honors as a senior. He was a member of the Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, Student Sports Top 100, Rivals 100, Super Prep All-Dixie, Prep Star All-Southeast and Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 squads.

Moore was also named the Georgia Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year. In his final season, he recorded 93 tackles, 22 sacks, 18 deflections, eight forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one blocked punt (for a touchdown) in 2004. As a junior in 2003, he made All-Middle Georgia, All-Region and All-County while getting 110 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.

Moore was determined to play for an elite program and was used to the travel. Part of a military family, he was born in Germany and lived in Europe and Texas before moving to Georgia.

Moore served as a reserve defensive end in his first year at Southern California, playing behind All-American strong-side end Lawrence Jackson in 2005. He suffered a right knee sprain in his collegiate debut vs. Hawaii, missing the next two games. He saw brief action in 11 games that campaign and while he recovered a pair of fumbles, he managed just six tackles (five solo).

Moore shifted to right defensive end in 2006, but lost a fierce preseason battle with Brian Cushing for the starting position. He appeared in 13 games, collecting only five tackles (four solo) with a pass deflection.

With Lawrence Jackson having an All-American season on the strong side, Moore helped give the Trojans matching bookends, starting 11 games at weak-side end in 2007. He played the bulk of the running downs and was spelled by Everson Griffen on obvious pass plays, but still produced 35 tackles (15 solo) that included a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His long wing span proved to be a major problem for the opposition, as he not only batted down five passes at the line of scrimmage but pulled down two interceptions.

As a senior, Moore garnered All-Pac-10 Conference honorable mention. He started every game at Jackson's old position (strong-side), collecting 30 tackles (16 solo). He made five sacks with 9.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage while deflecting two passes and also recovered a fumble as a 13-game starter.

GENERAL REPORT

GRADE: 5.94

Body Structure: Moore has a good-sized frame though he's a bit on the lean side and has room to add more bulk. He has adequate upper-body development, thick thighs and calves, but is not impressive overall muscle tone.

Athletic Ability: Moore is not sudden, but has some burst and straight-line speed. He shows adequate coordination working down the line and displays a decent blend of height and wing span (close to 34-inch arm length). He shows a good effort to get to the quarterback, but looks stiff when working in space. He has adequate linear speed to chase down a ballcarrier, but needs to improve his change-of-direction agility. GRADE: 5.7

Football Sense: Moore finds the ball, but after an impressive junior season disrupting passes, he did not show the same timing in 2008. He has adequate football instincts and the ability to retain plays. He will usually see and take care of any action in his assigned gap, but is inconsistent when needing to redirect when he out-runs the play. GRADE: 6.0

Character: Moore has no known off-field issues. He is a different type of personality than some might expect from a USC prospect. He's respected by teammates and staff and familiar with a structured life. Takes on an aggressive nature between the lines and will not back down from a fight. GRADE: 6.4

Competitiveness: Moore is described by the staff as tough, intense and will raise his effort when challenged, but he struggles with leverage and looks lost at times on the field, especially when in pursuit. He is a good competitor, who is tough but sometimes looks like he is phoning it in rather that displaying aggression. Some scouts would like to see more fire in his play, but he shows urgency in his game and will do the little extras to make the tackle. GRADE: 5.7

Work Habits: Moore is a hard worker in the weight room, is responsible and takes well with hard coaching. He is best when making plays at the point -- doesn't generate the sudden step to make plays in long pursuit. He has just adequate quickness coming off the edge and needs to show a more consistent motor when battling to get penetration (gets upright too much, which lets blockers wash him out). GRADE: 5.9

ATHLETIC REPORT

GRADE: 5.74

Explosion/Pursuit: Moore flashes quickness to get an edge on a blocker, but is not a sudden type and does not play with consistent quickness. He has adequate balance and athletic ability. He comes off the ball smoothly, but lacks suddenness and is late off the snap at times. He uses his arms well to get into the blocker's chest, but is more effective when coming off the edge isolated. He does have adequate sustained speed, but doesn't generate the explosion you would expect. GRADE: 5.6

Strength at Point: Moore shows good weight room strength, but struggles to get leverage, negating his power at times when he gets too tall in his stance. When he gets too tall, he fails to hold his ground. He lacks leverage in his technique and while he might split a double team on occasion, he's not consistent in that area. He is a decent run stuffer, but needs to hunker down more and anchor with a better base. When he plays at a high pad level, blockers can blow him off the snap. He shows good arm reach, but does not always use it to get off the hook or disengage. He can fight through the gap, but sometimes gets too narrow with his base. When he stays lower in his pads, he is more effective splitting double teams. GRADE: 5.5

Use of Hands: Moore flashes a strong punch, but if he gets his hands outside his frame, he will swing wildly and miss his target. Needs to refine his hand technique. He is inconsistent to shed and get off the blocks when working through trash. He uses his hands much better when making plays on the edge than when working in-line. He can move with the flow charging in the back side and is good at wrapping up ballcarriers at the corners. GRADE: 5.7

Lateral Pursuit/Effort: Moore needs to run at a lower pad level. He has poor balance when he needs to suddenly change direction and plays too high on the move, leaving him susceptible to cut blocks. He has adequate range to play sideline-to-sideline, but needs to generate a better burst. He has average speed and will hustle to make plays at the corners. GRADE: 5.3

Tackling Ability: Moore is an effective wrap-up tackler who shows good hand extension. He is quick to position, but only when he stays low in his pads to stalk and secure when on the move. He can wrap and tackle better when playing in space than when working down the line of scrimmage. GRADE: 5.7

Run Defense: Moore can roll his hips, engaging and shedding, as he is effective pressuring the outside shoulder of a bigger blocker. He can flash to cross the offensive tackle's face but does not look like he will be a solid two-gap player. He has enough strength to hold ground at the point of attack, when he doesn't get too high in his pads. When he does get high, he is subject to getting pushed back. He does not have dominant lower-body strength, but will reach, scrape down the line and show impact upon contact. GRADE: 6.4

Pass Rush: Moore is best when he attacks the pocket from the edge rather than taking a gap. His pad level needs to remain low in order for him to slip past and avoid blocks. He does not use his power consistently to walk a blocker back, but he has enough short-area quickness to make plays in the backfield. He has decent pass-rush moves (swim and rip), but needs more arm-over action. When he rushes through a gap, he manages to squeeze through trash to penetrate. He is more of a move-oriented guy than a bull rusher, but gets production both ways. GRADE: 6.4

Closing on the QB: Moore has some decent initial burst, but when he gets out of control and out-runs the pocket, he doesn't have the redirection agility to get back into the play. When he stays down in his pads, he generates a good surge and burst coming off the edge. You would like to see more acceleration, especially with his timed speed, but he plays off of blocks and can be disruptive in pursuit. GRADE: 5.6

Instincts/Recognition: Moore seems to recognize backfield activity, but perhaps due to a lack of great instincts, he will lock up and not go anywhere too often (just one pressure generated in 24 starts). You can see on film that he struggles at times to read and see gap responsibilities. He should make more plays with his speed, but does not get the explosion you'd like. He did a nice job with his timing to get his hands up to disrupt the pass in 2007, but regressed a bit as a senior. GRADE: 5.5

Compares To: MARK ANDERSON, Chicago -- Moore has a developing frame with an impressive wing span, but has put up just pedestrian numbers throughout his career. USC's attack is predicated on their linebackers making plays. Moore did flash to get on the edge of a blocker and outrun the play. He needs technique refinement, as he gets too tall in his stance, negating any leverage. Inconsistency at the college level will cost him on draft day.

OVERALL GRADE: 5.77

--Report by Dave-Te Thomas

Moore started 24-of-50 games during his Southern California career, recording 76 tackles (40 solo) with seven sacks for minus-61 yards, 13.0 stops for losses totaling 85 yards and one quarterback pressure. Recovered four fumbles and caused another. Gained 38 yards on two interception returns and deflected eight passes.

Moore was named the team's Most Inspirational Player, as he battled preseason right knee problems to start all 13 games at left defensive end. Earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention. Recorded 30 tackles (16 solo), as he led the Trojans with five sacks for minus-41 yards. Credited with one quarterback pressure while delivering 9.5 stops for losses of 56 yards. Recovered one fumble and deflected two passes.

Ohio State … After failing to make a tackle in the season opener vs. Virginia, Moore posted eight hits (3 solos) with a 15-yard sack and two stops for losses of 19 yards … OSU was forced to settle for a 29-yard field goal on their first possession after Moore tackled Todd Boeckman for a 4-yard loss on a goal-line bootleg … He recovered a fumble after the Buckeyes quarterback was stripped of the ball by Clay Matthews after a 10-yard sack … At one point late in the third quarter, the right-handed Boeckman tried a desperation left-handed pass as he was being tackled by Moore. The result was an intentional grounding penalty. Everson Griffen sacked Boeckman on the next play … Head to Head Competition-OT#75-Alex Boone (6:08-312).

Oregon State … Moore followed with three tackles, including assisting on a third-&-7 9-yard sack of QB Lyle Moevao that forced OSU to punt midway through the first quarter … Head to Head Competition-OT#50-Mike Remmers (6:04-286).

Oregon … The left defensive end delivered three more tackles, leveling Jeremiah Johnson twice for no gains on rushing attempts and also stopped Johnson for a 3-yard loss on a carry during the game's opening seriesHead to Head Competition-OT#68-C.E. Kaiser (^;04-291).

Arizona State … Moore made only two tackles, but he deflected a Rudy Carpenter pass at the line of scrimmage and sacked the ASU passer for a 7-yard loss midway through the third quarter … Head to Head Competition-OT#74-Ton Njunge (6:05-276

Washington State … Moore's only tackle took down Logwone Mitz for a 4-yard loss at the WSU 45 early in the third frame … Head to Head Competition-OT#76-Micha Hannam (6:04-284).

Arizona … The senior defensive end made two tackles, including one on a third-&-8 screen pass that dropped receiver Deshaun Dean for a 1-yard loss, forcing a Wildcats punt late in the fourth quarter … Head to Head Competition-OT#66-James Thretheway (6:06-305).

Washington … Moore followed with an assist on a 9-yard sack of QB Ronnie Fouch on a third-&-10 play, resulting in a Huskies punt on the next snap in the third quarter … Head to Head Competition-OT#71-Cody Habben (6:06-316).

California … For the eighth consecutive game, Moore recorded at least one tackle behind the line of scrimmage, as he took down Shane Vereen for a 3-yard loss on a late first quarter run and sacked QB Kevin Riley for minus 6 yards with 2:59 left in the game … Head to Head Competition-OT#53-Dee Edwards (6:05-288).

Notre Dame … Was in on three solo tackles, including a 5-yard sack of QB Jimmy Clausen at the ND 20 early in the second quarter … Head to Head Competition-OT#74-Sam Young (6:08-330).

Moore started 11 games at right defensive end, coming off the bench vs. Idaho and Arizona State … Registered 35 tackles (15 solo) with two sacks for minus-20 yards and 3.5 stops for losses of 29 yards … Recovered and caused one fumble … Deflected five passes and intercepted two others for 38 yards in returns.

Came off the bench to cause a fumble that USC recovered on a 12-yard sack, making four hits with a pass breakup vs. Idaho … Returned his first career interception 24 yards and had two hits vs. Nebraska … Followed with two more tackles, a pass deflection and gained 14 yards on an interception return vs. Washington State … Among his four tackles was a stop for a 9-yard loss vs. Washington … Recorded six tackles (three solos) vs. Stanford and had another six stops, including a 4-yard saxck of QB Jimmy Clausen vs. Notre Dame … Had another 4-yard sack to go with two tackles in the UCLA clash.

Moore played behind Brian Cushing at right defensive end, seeing action in 13 games … Recorded five tackles (four solo) and broke up one pass … Had two solo tackles vs. Stanford and one stop in each of the Washington State, Oregon and Michigan (Rose Bowl) clashes.

Appeared in 11 games behind Lawrence Jackson at strong-side defensive end … Posted six tackles (5 solos) and recovered a pair of fumbles … Suffered a right knee sprain vs. Hawaii in the season opener, missing the next two games vs. Arkansas and Oregon … In his collegiate debut, he recovered a fumble to set up a USC touchdown drive vs. Hawaii and recovered another fumble vs. California … Posted three tackles vs. UCLA.

2005: Suffered a right knee sprain vs. Hawaii (9/03), missing the nest two games vs. Arkansas (9/17) and Oregon (9/24).

2008: Limited in spring camp after undergoing right knee arthroscopic surgery.

Combine: 4.81 in the 40-yard dash … 1.62 10-yard dash … 2.80 20-yard dash … 4.47 20-yard shuttle … 7.40 three-cone drill … 30.5-inch vertical jump … 8'9 … broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times … 33 1/4-inch arm length … 10-inch hands.

Attended Houston County (Warner Robins, Ga.) High School, earning USA Today, EA Sports, Super Prep, Parade and Pre Star All-American honors as a senior … Member of the Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, Student Sports Top 100, Rivals 100, Super Prep All-Dixie, Prep Star All-Southeast and Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 squads … Named the Georgia Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year in his final season, as he recorded 93 tackles, 22 sacks, 18 deflections, eight forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one blocked punt (for a touchdown) in 2004 … As a junior, he made All-Middle Georgia, All-Region and All-County while getting 110 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.

Sociology major … Born 10/25/86 in Germany and lived in Europe and Texas before moving to Georgia … Resides in Kathleen, Georgia.