DJ Moore is headed to the pros.
The former standout wide receiver for Philadelphia's Imhotep Charter High School football team has declared for the 2018 NFL Draft after a record-breaking year at the University of Maryland. In a Twitter statement, Moore said he would be foregoing his senior season, thanking his teammates, coaches, family and friends for their support.
During the 2017 season, he started all 12 games for the Terrapins, catching a school-record 80 passes, adding 1,033 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
He racked up an impressive list of accolades his junior year, including Big Ten Receiver of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten and Phil Steele Second Team All-American.
As a senior at Imhotep in Germantown, Moore earned Pennsylvania Class AAA All-State honors with 35 catches, 1,012 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was team captain for the Panthers, a squad that would go on to win the state title the year after he graduated — the first-ever Philly Public League school to do so.
The 5'11" Moore's draft stock has risen significantly this season, as detailed by The Washington Post:
Moore made waves as a junior for his ball skills and his ability to run after the catch. His physical tools and strength — Moore has played as heavy as 225 pounds during his college career — caused offensive coordinator Walt Bell to compare the junior to former Oklahoma State wide receivers Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon. Analysts have also taken note: Moore is projected by some NFL draft sites to be a potential second-round pick, and he was included on CBSSports.com’s midseason “all-underrated prospect team.”
Others don't seem to be as high on Moore as a top draft prospect. Bleacher Report, USA Today and Walter Football have all left him off their rankings of the top wide receivers in the upcoming class.