Will Muschamp says star linebacker will miss 2016 season
South Carolina star linebacker Skai Moore announced in January that he had decided to skip out on the 2016 NFL Draft in order to return for his senior season and “finish what he started” with the Gamecocks this upcoming fall.
Little did he know that he’d have to wait an extra year to do so.
On Tuesday afternoon, coach Will Muschamp announced that Moore will receive a medical redshirt and is set to miss the entire 2016 season after having surgery on Friday to repair a disc in his neck.
South Carolina LB Skai Moore will take a redshirt this year. He will have neck fusion surgery on Friday.
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) May 31, 2016
Moore, 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, has 260 tackles in a three-year career. The school record for career tackles is J.D. Fuller’s 405 (1979, 1981-1983). He has led the Gamecocks in stops the last three years and had 111 tackles last year, the most by any South Carolina player since Jonathan Martin had 122 in 2002.
“As one might anticipate, Moore relies on his quickness to slip by would-be blockers to get to the ball and can be simply mauled by offensive linemen when they get their mitts on him,” wrote Rob Rang last September. “He’s a patient, generally reliable open-field tackler, who wraps his arms around the ball-carrier and drags them to the turf rather than an explosive hitter who intimidates opponents.
“Where Moore stands out is in coverage. Quick and agile, he’s able to drop back quickly into coverage and does a nice job of reading the quarterback’s eyes and anticipating routes. Has a knack for being in the right place at the right time in big games, which scouts will certainly take note of – including a pair of end zone interceptions in the 2015 opening win vs. North Carolina.”
CBS Sports currently lists Moore as the No. 3-best outside linebacker prospect for the draft class of 2017.
Sucks to be losing a talent like that for the year, but considering this is a rebuilding year I can also see the benefit of having him in 2017 when the defense should be much better.
Always hate hearing of such injuries to any player, especially those that have such a big impact like Moore. Praying for a quick recovery and a great 2017 season (except for when he plays UGA of course).
A once-in-a-generation cycle and every Cock fan thinks SC has arrived.
It was like a dream and now it’s over.
This is the nail in the coffin for even the most deluded.
Go back to sleep and I’ll wake you up in 50 years when you have another shot at the SEC east.
That’s ok…just remember that is something you will NEVER get a shot at. Get well soon Skai!
Whatever Gamecock fan that is f*cking your mother, girlfriend, wife, g*y lover, or all the above must have really done a number on you.
Nobody likes you. My guess is you don’t get out much and dont have many friends.
Also you’ve probably never played an organized sport in your life and we’re also last picked at recess.
I admit, these Cock fans getting all lathered up and actually believing they had a chance to win the SEC while EVERYTHING was going their way was VERY ENTERTAINING.
This joke will not come around again for about 50 years.
I want to thank you all for this rare opportunity and you should know I will cherish it.
Can’t stand him when he’s in that SC jersey but I hate that he’s facing a potentially career ending injury. Hope he makes a full recovery and gets his shot in the league.
I hope he recovers well. It’s too bad for SoCar though… they need all the help they can get, and I’m not saying that maliciously. Just like with every other SEC team, I’m ok with you winning as many games as possible when not playing Alabama.
Really good player. Great athlete, who seemed to be over-the-field. Hate to see this happen to him. Ladarrell Mcneil for UT had similar surgery before last year and he was able to recover. Hope the same for Skai.
I hope he gets well, and can make it to the NFL, even if he doesn’t come back one more year.