Isaiah Moore on start of fall camp
Going into the 2020 season, NC State will look to redshirt junior Isaiah Moore to serve a leadership role as part of a deep, talented linebacking corps.
Moore spoke to the media via Zoom Tuesday to talk about the beginning of fall camp.
I know things have been a lot different this offseason, but how good was it today to get back on the field with your teammates and do something kind of normal?
It definitely felt great. We’ve all been itching to play since we got shut down in the spring. We’ve been together these last couple weeks in pods with our COVID restrictions and everything, so it was awesome being out there on the field together today. It’s a great feeling with the long wait, and we’re all excited about it.
One thing that Dave said was that the two of you [Moore and Grant Gibson] have stepped up as leaders for the team, both on and off the field. How important was it for you guys to do that this offseason in particular going into this upcoming year?
I think the circumstances we got thrown into with COVID and everything getting shut down, everybody going home and being separated, we felt like there was definitely some leadership needed to keep everybody together. It’s something that we’ve talked about to open every year with our coaches, especially coach Thunder, he’s always told us that we have the capability to lead. We feel like this is the opportunity for us to step in and do that.
Coach Doeren has talked about being responsible away from the football field and making social sacrifices. Have you guys talked about that amongst your teammates?
That’s definitely something, the word we’re seeing is sacrifice. There’s going to be students coming back. Everybody’s not going to take the same precautions that we are as far as everything that we have to do to be able to play the season. So that’s definitely something we’ve talked about and we’re going to continue to talk about once everybody gets back on campus. It’s something that we’re going to have to uphold and hold each other accountable for as we move throughout the season.
With new coordinators on both sides, how different of a team are we going to see this year? Is it going to be completely different?
I think yes. Absolutely. Of course none of us want to relive last year at all. We all understand that what we put on the field last year wasn’t good enough. We all have have a chip on our shoulder, and we want to come in and do whatever we can to be successful this year. I think what we’re doing defensively with coach Gibson, I think it’s going to be great. We’re all getting back together, we didn’t have a lot of time together in the spring, so now we’re all really trying to get rolling and get things going. From what we’ve seen so far, things are going to be great, and I do think you’re going to see a brand new NC State defense on the field this year.
With the new ACC format, I know Clemson’s been so dominant in the Atlantic Division, but now divisions are out the window, so everyone’s on an even playing field as far as getting to the ACC title game. How exciting is it for you guys, and how does it change the landscape and throw Notre Dame in the mix? What can you say about all the ACC changes?
Our goal is always to reach the ACC Championship and win it. So whatever format they throw at us, whether it’s playing Clemson, playing 10 games, playing five games, or playing one game, we know what we have to do to get there, and that’s what we plan to do.
Coach said earlier that we wasn’t aware of anyone that wanted to opt out of the season due to COVID-19, has that been a discussion amongst players, maybe guys are a little worried about playing or not? Obviously everybody wants to play, but have you guys talked about the potential of somebody opting out?
Not that I’ve heard. We’ve pretty much all been on the same page about us all wanting to play. I haven’t heard any conversations about anything like that. Of course we’re all aware of everything that’s going on in the other conferences, but as far as this, we haven’t had any conversations about that.