July 21, 2008
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BIRMINGHAM Ala. – Accolades for Vanderbilt junior defensive back D.J. Moore continued Monday as Southeastern Conference head coaches named him preseason first team all-conference.
Moore, a virtual unanimous All-SEC selection in 2007 after sharing the conference lead with six interceptions, is the only Commodore named to the coaches’ first unit. Senior safety Reshard Langford garnered third team All-SEC recognition in the coaches’ ballot.
In recent weeks, Moore has been named to preseason watchlists for three prestigious individual honors, the Jim Thorpe and Chuck Bednarik awards, and the Nagurski Trophy.
Commodore Head Coach Bobby Johnson said his fellow SEC head coaches were recognizing a pair of deserving candidates.
“D.J. is coming off a remarkable year and deserves all the attention he is getting. He’s a big-time player in a big-time conference,” Johnson said. “I’m pleased that Reshard is getting notice because he’s truly one of the finest defensive players in this conference. Reshard simply does his job at a very high level. He’s a great competitor, a great athlete, and a tremendous leader for the Commodores.”
Moore, a native of Spartanburg, S.C., earned first team All-SEC recognition from sportswriters in 2007 and second team honors from the coaches. He burst on the SEC scene as a sophomore, starting the season with interceptions in early-season wins against Richmond, Ole Miss and Eastern Michigan. Later in the season, he earned national accolades for a spectacular performance at South Carolina, picking off two Gamecock passes and contributing eight tackles in an effort that gained national defensive player of the week honors after the Commodores’ 17-6 road win.
Besides producing the most interceptions by a Commodore in 25 years, Moore finished the season as the team leader with 63 solo tackles. He also ranked second with 10 passes defensed, and contributed one quarterback sack.
Moore, who received preseason All-America recognition last month in Athlon’s College Football Edition, also was an explosive kickoff return specialist, setting a team record with 823 total return yards. His 25.7-yard average matched Kwane Doster’s 2002 average as the highest by a Commodore in nearly 40 years. Moore produced seven returns of 40 yards or more. He became the SEC’s only three-way threat in 2007, also achieving success in a limited offensive role. Playing receiver in three midseason games, Moore produced 78 rushing yards on six carries, including 39-yard gains against both Georgia and Miami (Ohio).
Langford, from Tanner, Ala., has started 35 consecutive games at safety entering his final season with the Commodores. A freshman All-American in 2005, Langford ranks as the Commodores’ active leader with 120 solo tackles, 171 total tackles and eight interceptions.