LJ Moore Note (Updated 7:52 am)

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There have been some rumors about LJ Moore and his current status with the team. We asked around and we were told by one source that LJ Moore has indeed left the team. In fact our source said that LJ left the team more than a week ago.

We have not confirmed this information from a second source so we are not going to speak definitively on this but we will say that the first source had mentioned in the past that this was a possibility as LJ seemed to really want to be at home. He also said that the coaches have tried to work with Moore in order to bring him back to the team but according to the source it was an unsuccessful attempt.

If Moore is indeed gone, we aren’t sure yet if there is still a possibility that Moore can return to the team. But again we were told that the coaches made every effort to keep him at Oklahoma.

We want to also note that LJ is still currently listed on the Oklahoma roster.

We will work to try to confirm this through another source but that is the information we have right now.

UPDATE (7:52 am): A second source has now told us that “he (LJ Moore) is no longer with the team for sure.” We will continue to try to find as many sources as possible to corroborate but that is two sources now saying he has indeed left the team.

71 Comments

  • Steve Johns says:

    Well that sucks. He could’ve helped this year.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Agreed.

      • Mark hale says:

        I heard he had a serious girlfriend back in California as well, and, she was part of his homesickness as much as anything else.

        • Sooner Ray says:

          If it’s not momma’s cooking, it’s always a girlfriend with the young college kids.

          • red clay says:

            For music to go with this, listen to the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s piano sonata “Homesickness”.
            The music sounds like a 19 year old pining for the adorable girlfriend. Even I can remember how that was, long ago.

  • CS says:

    That’s a shame, thought he might have an impact this season!!

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Don’t know that I would say that. The coaches generally try and give kids every chance they can to make whatever they feel is the best decision. They won’t write him off, that’s just not their style. As K has said, they’ve been working to try and convince him to stay but it may be a situation where he just can’t be convinced.

      • CS says:

        I didn’t mean it that way! I meant, if LJ has a change of heart after say a month away from the program, I doubt Bob will let him back in (case in point Austin Haywood/TE). I am not knocking Bob for that but that’s just the way he works. Give him an option to come back, if he doesn’t take it, the door closes for good.

      • dahldennsull says:

        I will say, I find it interesting that the coaches have tried hard to keep him. Not in the fact that they shouldn’t, because I like LJ and wish he would stay, but I find it interesting since we oversigned our 85 roster limit, so this tells me the coaches know what kids are going to be leaving the program later, or what new signees aren’t likely to make it in.

        • Jordan Esco says:

          That’s a fair point. But they didn’t redshirt him last year (which I always felt was a waste, fwiw) b/c they expected him to contribute significantly this year. So for that reason alone, I think it makes sense why. They can almost always find a way to make the numbers work, but it goes w/o saying they’d prefer to do that while not losing someone as talented as Moore.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Sucks. Thought he had a chance to really contribute this year at a position where OU already didn’t have a ton of depth. But if he’s not happy in Norman then, IMO, you gotta let him go. Wish him well.

  • Jim says:

    Was it homesickness, or does he feel like he’s being recruited over?

    • Jordan Esco says:

      From what we’ve heard it’s the former. As far as I’m concerned, OU doesn’t have a ton of depth at CB currently so it’d be hard for me to say it was the latter. He was expected to be, at worst, a primary backup this year w/ an outside shot at winning that CB job opposite Sanchez.

  • Ed Cotter says:

    That’s too bad. He was probably going to get a chance to contribute this year as well. But to echo Jordan, if he wasn’t happy, they have to let him go. Good luck to the young man.

  • JJsooner1 says:

    This is just amazing. There’s nadda-nothing on the net about him leaving OU but Super K has it nailed. Gotta wish him well if he’s not happy. Coaches did the best they could. Good luck and God speed LJ.

  • wolfbuilder says:

    Well guess I look forward to seeing Tito getting some PT cause we all know players get hurt

  • lovethemsooners says:

    Hopefully this won’t have any negative impact on our recent success in recruiting California.

    • Zack says:

      Who knows. In my opinion I doubt that it would have much of an effect. They still have guys like quick, mixon and Todd who may make huge impacts.

      • Ed Cotter says:

        KJ Young, Bolton, Byrd and McNamara are other Cali kids who could come in and contribute. We shall see.

  • SoonerPhins says:

    Would have been nice to see LJ and Hatari starting at CB and S. I didn’t really like what I saw from Cortez Johnson, so I thought it would have been a battle between Stanvon and LJ. Hopefully some freshmen are read to go incase of injury.

  • Sooner Sam says:

    Not a good look for Michiah Quick, who is supposedly pretty close with LJ. I remember how excited LJ was to get on campus. Too bad….

  • Sooner Ray says:

    That’s like a kick in the nuts on a Monday morning.

  • Zack says:

    What’s great about this site is you guys get info post it here anyone can read or comment on the news. Other guys get wind of a story and may not have many details at all and still try to sell you a subscription just to find out they’re still working on the story.
    Oh and you guys were first as far as I can tell. Great work.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Free is a good thing.

      Nobody can be right every single time, but you’ll never have to worry about paying for info here.

      • JJsooner1 says:

        What Jordan said……….all of it.

        • Gary Robbins says:

          It’s amazing how much good, honest info you can find on this site.I haven’t paid money to any of the sites, never will? I’ve got the TFB bunch. Besides it would cut down on my “happy hour” money.Thanks for the info whether it’s good or bad.

        • Doobie74OU says:

          Its Crazy all the contacts they have for a free sight. They are all over every story and usually before the pay sites or mainstream media! Gotta Love TFB!

          • JJsooner1 says:

            I know right? I searched Google, Yahoo and Bing…nadda. Super K and Jordan leavin ’em in the dust.

  • Kevin Fielder says:

    Was he on the Right or Left? From a depth chart standpoint, where would he have been? Thanks for the insight and keep up the GREAT work!

  • Doobie74OU says:

    I think history has showed us we would rather have a kid that is less talented but dying to play for the Sooners than a Super Talented Guy that is home sick! I’m not slamming LJ at all if he doesn’t feel comfortable this far away from home then I wish him well! Would have been better at a position like receiver or something were we had a ton more depth but as Bob always says “Next Guy Up!” BOOMER!

  • JJsooner1 says:

    Is Steven Parker up to challenging for back-up at safety?

  • Jordan Esco says:

    OU spokesman confirms “we don’t anticipate him (Moore) being with us this spring.”

    • Leroy Jenkins says:

      Is it possible he could be reinstated for the summer? Or even the fall?

      • Jordan Esco says:

        Possible, yes. Likely, no.

        • Ed Cotter says:

          Could be a grade issue possibly. I vaguely remember we had a player a couple of years ago leave in the spring and come back during the summer and into the fall after taking some courses at a JC I believe. Anyone else remember that and who the player was?

  • Indy_sooner says:

    He was at the sugar bowl so this sounds like a fairly recent development. I would think he still has 4 years of playing time available if he transfers. That being said, I hope he is able to return…

    • dahldennsull says:

      He will have to sit out a year to transfer. He played a little this year, but regardless of either his RS year was used this year on a technicality, or he can simply use it at the next program, he will be a RS sophomore for his new team

  • Shelby is a Patriot says:

    I remember him tweeting something about Norman being lame, I think. So take that FWIW.

    • J.K. Abbott says:

      Really?? I know he hates the Cold here but I don’t get the read that it’s a Norman thing. He misses home.

      • Shelby is a Patriot says:

        I don’t know, I just remember him tweeting something like that.

        • J.K. Abbott says:

          I read the OU coaches tweets but haven’t read the players tweets except for Mixon’s. It’s a shame. kid has some ability.

        • J.K. Abbott says:

          I think I know which one you are talking about. I went through his tweets today. He said something like “Oklahoma doesn’t care about us” referencing no warning about the last winter snow/ice storm to OBIE. I think he was at a point he wanted to be home so bad it wouldn’t have mattered where he was.

          • Shelby is a Patriot says:

            Yeah, I saw that tweet, as well. No doubt that he misses home, just thought the tweet I mentioned above was interesting. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I saw it, tho.

      • blaster1371 says:

        Has to be a home thing and nothing to do with Norman. I spent my first 18 years of life in Norman and graduated from Fresno State. Can’t imagine many places as “lame” as Fresno. He could easily sign with Fresno State.

  • Jed says:

    Never positive to see this sort of thing, but I hope he gets to where he’s happy and can go after life whole heartedly.
    And we have another schollie to play with. I wonder if there are any Juco DBs out there available?

  • Shifty says:

    I think we’ll be fine..I fig’d either Austin or Taylor to get the job anyway…It’s easier to get homesick when your not the starter…btwn Austin Taylor Johnson and Sanchez we have four guys that played at times last year when the game was still in question…add in the incoming guys and we’ll have quality depth…were talking dbs and Mike Stoops

    • Super K says:

      I agree Shifty. As you probably recall from our discussions back when he was being recruited I was always hesitant about his ability as a corner.

      • Shifty says:

        I think he would have ended up being a decent nickel or dime if he bulked up some..he looked really thin but the reality of each year is every kid doesn’t pan out for one reason or another..he was behind two other guys in his class for a back up role last year…the coaches still wanted him so that says something..that said, I’d be more upset about losing Hatari or Thomas since we are thinner at safety

  • Seymour Glass says:

    Okay. Great. Thanks for the info, but I’m going to wait and see what James Hale says…I kid. I kid.

    Good job guys. Delivering value in the morning, delivering value in evening. All over this land.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      I didn’t even hear Hale mention it this morning. Maybe someone from here should break the news to them πŸ™‚

  • J.K. Abbott says:

    For what its worth Coach Viney and other coaches were worried that LJ wasn’t going to come back after the Sugar when all the players basically had almost two weeks off. LJ is a good kig but very homesick. No worries with Quick and Bryd at this point. This has been going on with LJ for awhile. He went from being in the rotation during camp/August to left out because of his production probably due to missing fam back in Cali. I feel for the kid and wish he would gut it out because he has rare athleticism He;s a gifted kid with track athleticism. talking about a 7 foot high jumper. Those don’t grow on trees. Ryan Broyels comes to mind clearing 7 as a Soph. Good luck LJ.

  • J.K. Abbott says:

    Stay positive Sooner fans about this. LJ and Hatari are tight and LJ is Quick’s best friend.

  • J.K. Abbott says:

    https://twitter.com/OU_CoachViney/status/422103743509700608

    Pretty telling in my opinion. Players reported back on the 12th. Coach was excited that LJ showed back up wasn’t he?

    • Sooner Ray says:

      J.K., looks like those tweets were from back in Jan. when they first became concerned about him leaving. Looks like he just made his decision to go back home just recently. Tell me if I’m reading that wrong.

      • J.K. Abbott says:

        Like I said in my post below LJ has been homesick for awhile. I heard the coaches were worried he wouldn’t show up for the second semester. I think his homesickness hurt his production on the field. He was in the hunt for some PT coming out of camp in August.

      • J.K. Abbott says:

        And look my sources are nothing compared to Super K’s. I’m familiar with some of the staff that recruits our area and some of the players. There was some concern with LJ and him missing Fresno for awhile.

  • Sonny Schovanec says:

    Hate to hear that. LJ was a great track and field kid. Good cover kid, long bodied and can jump out of his shoes. Wish him the best. I hope he sticks with ball or T&F. Hate to see so much God given ability go to waste.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      Hope he finds a place to use it also Sonny, it’s gonna leave us even younger in the back end.

  • EasTex says:

    I wish the young man the very best.
    BTW, I hate the off season.

    • J.K. Abbott says:

      You and me both. Although this has been a good winter for the Sooners. They generally lose 5 – 10 kids. I think this team is close and are great attitude kids. You can tell just by their lack of off the field problems etc.. that these kids for the most part are TEAM first kids. Heck look no further the Blake Bell and the sacrifices he’s made for the TEAM. I’ll take 11 kids that have attitudes like Blake has shown this past year and win some ball games over teams with more talent.

      • EasTex says:

        I understand and appreciate your positive outlook.
        From previous experiences and having been a young man, though, I hate the off season.