Arkansas football recruiting: What Oakland's Aaron Moore is looking for in official visit

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

Despite what was once a potentially crowded recruiting class at his outside linebacker position, Oakland senior Aaron Moore has never been concerned about his chances to land a spot at Arkansas.

With one former Arkansas commitment now flipped to Tennessee and another Razorback target committing to the Vols on the same day, Moore feels even better about this weekend's official visit to Fayetteville for the Razorbacks' game with Mississippi State.

"I was never looking at all of that," said Moore, who has had an offer from Arkansas since May and has spent two other unofficial visits there. "It's always been about looking for a school that's the best fit for me, the one that's most comfortable."

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Moore has played defensive end and outside linebacker for Oakland. He's a three-star prospect (No. 37 in Tennessee, No. 87 outside linebacker in the 2020 class), according to the 247Sports Composite.

He also has an offer from Missouri. In July he listed Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma State (which has not offered) as his top three choices. 

This week he said he was down to three schools but was "keeping that private."

He also has offers from Purdue, Memphis, Charlotte, Tulane, Rutgers, Texas-San Antonio and Austin Peay.

Moore is excited about the opportunity to visit the Arkansas campus during the season.

"I'm excited to see the culture of game day," said Moore, who was a first-team all-area performer last year and has led Oakland to a 9-0 start. "I want to see how the players prepare, the coaches coach, and the environment there. I'm really excited to see what Arkansas has to offer."

In July, Arkansas received commitments from linebacker prospects Martavius French (Whitehaven) and Drew Francis (Knoxville West). However, French was among three Whitehaven players who committed to Tennessee last week.

Bryson Eason, who was another big linebacker target of the Razorbacks, was among the three Whitehaven players who committed to UT. With teams typically signing 3-4 linebackers each recruiting class, that should open a bigger door for Moore.

"For sure it does," Moore said. "I've had a good relationship with (Arkansas defensive coordinator John Chavis), even when the other kids were committed. They told me there was an extra spot at linebacker and were willing to take me. I just had to be patient and see where the options were.

"I've talked to my parents a lot and prayed, waiting for a sign. I was never really nervous."

Former Blackman standout Trey Knox is a freshman wide receiver at Arkansas. He has 357 receiving yards and two TDs. 

"I've known Trey since middle school," Moore said. "When I (last) went up there he was telling me about the program. He told me I won't find a staff that cares about the players more. He loves Fayetteville. He told me it's a great place."

Moore, who has taken unofficial visits to South Carolina (three times), Kentucky (twice), Purdue, Duke and Memphis, said he has a time period for committing, "but nothing is set in stone."

"I'm just going to commit when the time is right," he said. "Once I commit, I'm going to shut down my recruitment (and focus on) one school."

Oakland senior Aaron Moore will be taking an official visit to Arkansas this weekend.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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