Moore Keeps the Commitments Coming for Cal
5-10/185 Bishop Amat (La Puente, CA) running back Damien Moore became the 15th commitment of Cal's 2020 class with his verbal commitment to the Bears today.
“Cal checked off all the boxes I was looking for in a school,” said Moore today. “It was a no-brainer to make this decision.”
Moore visited the Bears twice in June, coming back for an official visit mid-month, which effectively sealed the deal for the Bears.
Moore visited with fellow running back commit Chris Street, who announced his commitment to the Bears earlier this week.
Moore had a particularly close relationship with his grandfather, he affectionately called Pops, who he lost to cancer last October. He paid tribute to him in his commitment announcement today via twitter video today, saying:
“First off, I want to thank God for the blessings he has put in my life. I want to thank my family, who have sacrificed so much and have supported me in everything I do. Thank you to all my close friends and coaches who have helped me throughout this process. This has always been a dream of mine to become a D1 football star. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to play in front of thousands of people and play on TV. And now, my dream is starting to become a reality.
“This was a tough decision. I have decided to commit to the University of California Berkeley. Pops, I love you and I know you’re watching over me, smiling right now.
“We’re running for Pops. Go Bears!”
The seeds of Moore’s commitment were sewn on his visits to Cal this month and it was only a matter of time before he made his commitment to Cal formal.
“My visit was great. I really enjoyed it,” said Moore last week. “I liked that they really focused not only on football but what Cal does for kids after football is over as far as jobs and internships and things like that.
“We felt very comfortable on campus and I can definitely see myself there for 4 years.”
What type of player are the Bears getting in Moore?
“Damien is the complete player,” said Lancer head coach Steve Hagarty. “His vision is amazing and his ability to change direction and make people miss is what makes him special.
“He runs great routs and has superior hands. He pass protects really well but we prefer to get him the ball.
“He has a 3.5 gpa in the classroom and his football IQ is up there with the best of them.
“His pcl injury scared away a lot of school so Cal got a steal in getting one of the top five guys in California.”
As a sophomore, Moore rushed for 703 yards and eight touchdowns and missed his junior year to injury. He’s fully-healthy now and will be ready for kickoff in August.
Moore also holds offers from Utah, Arizona State, San Diego State and Nevada.
Moore becomes the 10th commitment for the Bears on the offensive side of the ball, joining tight ends Kaleo Ballungay and Jake Muller, receivers Casey Filkins, Jeremiah Hunter and Tommy Christakos, running back Chris Street, QB Zach Johnson and offensive linemen Everett Johnson and Ender Aguilar on the offensive side of the ball.