Moore (#9) is the 3rd Trojan to depart USC since the NCAA's severe infractions. (photo courtesy of SCPlaybook.com)
A highly recruited gem from USC’s 2009 top recruiting class is turning in his defensive playbook and moving on from the once proud program. According to SCPlaybook, Byron Moore informed the university that he is transferring to L.A. Harbor JC to play ball for a year with the intentions of transferring to another 4 year institution down the road. As a redshirt freshman, Moore was not free to transfer without sitting a season as his upperclassmen teammates.
During spring practice, the 6’1, 205 DB exemplified why he was a top high school recruit making head turning plays and showing signs of great speed and agility. This is a blow to Lane Kiffin as he is inheriting a defense that in 2009 gave up 55 points to Stanford, 36 points to Oregon State, and 47 points to Oregon. This is unheard of for USC and all signs indicate it won’t get any easier in 2010.
USC’s defense and most notably its secondary is comprised of primarily underclassmen. Moore’s departure nips at the already young and inexperienced secondary. Monte Kiffin, the best in the business, will have is hands full with all these underclassmen and will certainly miss the services of the Narbonne High School star.
Though Moore says his departure has nothing to do with USC’s sanctions, you may want to think again as the Men of Troy are slowly moving on from this storied program. Moore is the third player to announce his departure since the NCAA came down on USC. Perhaps there is more to the story than scholarship reductions and a two year bowl ban. Only time will tell.
