Video: D.J. Moore dunks

by Barca Blog - Thanks to Wes for sending me a link to this video posted on ChicagoBears.com. During a recent trip to The Boys and Girls Club in Waukegan, former Commodore D.J. Moore showed off his basketball hops. Click Here to watch the clip.

Numbers game

by Barca Blog - According to ChicagoBears.com, Earl Bennett will go with a different look for his sophomore campaign in the NFL. The former Commodore wideout will switch from N0. 85 to No. 80 for the upcoming season.

“I just wanted to change my number," Bennett told Larry Mayer. "I feel like ‘80’ fits me a little bit better. I think it’s in my character. I didn’t really think ‘85’ really fit it.

“Number 80 has so much tradition behind it with Jerry Rice and Cris Carter and those guys, and hopefully I can become one of those guys and be a legend like they were.”

Bennett initially wanted his college number which would have set up a No. 6 to No. 10 connection one more time after the Bears acquired Jay Cutler in an offseason trade. Unfortunately, the NFL prohibits receivers who have a number in the 80s from switching to a number from 10 through 19... so No. 80 will have to do.

Also, cornerback D.J. Moore has been assigned No. 30, but it could change before the season.

Read the full article here. (Photo by Bill Smith)

More from Moore

by Barca Blog - Commodore cornerback D.J. Moore talked with Todd Shanesy of the the Spartanburg Herald-Journal (his hometown newspaper) about his reaction to being selected by the Chicago Bears with the 119 overall pick in the NFL Draft Sunday.

On being drafted by the Bears
“I was so happy. I was so relieved. I guess things happen for a reason. I know I’m good. I think I landed in a good situation, so everything will happen for the best. I think the Bears are getting one of the best players in the draft. They’re getting a steal.”

On not being taken until the fourth round
“I didn’t know what was going on. There were so many of them getting drafted. I was trying to find out what was wrong with me. I don’t know what happened … For a minute, I was like, ‘Am I even going to get picked?’ I paid my dues. I really didn’t understand it.”

To read the entire article, click here. (Photo by John Byrum)

Moore comments on being drafted

by Barca Blog - ChicagoBears.com posted D.J. Moore's initial reaction to being drafted Sunday.

On if he has a chip on his shoulder about dropping to the fourth round : “I wouldn’t say that. Coming out of college, you have to prove yourself to the players that are already there and the coaches. So I guess you could say that it’s some form of a chip.”

On why he entered the draft: “I felt I was ready to go. I didn’t believe I was going to get too much better than what I was. I was one of the best cornerbacks in the best conference, playing with the best players. I felt I was the best cornerback in the draft.”

Also a video link of interest:
Bears scout Rex Hogan talks about D.J.

D.J. goes to Da Bears!

D.J. Moore became the first Vanderbilt cornerback taken in the NFL Draft in eight years when the Chicago Bears took the versatile playmaker with the 119th overall pick (19th in the fourth round). Moore joins a collection of Commodores on the Bears' roster, including the recently acquired quarterback Jay Cutler, offensive tackle Williams, receiver Earl Bennett and veteran linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. Read More

D.J. Moore Highlight Reel

by Barca Blog - Get ready for Saturday's NFL Draft by watching highlights of Commodore cornerback D.J. Moore (posted below). Fans can also view and share these clips on our Facebook Fan Page - go here.

Moore to make first start Wednesday

By Barca Blog - Freshman right-hander Navery Moore (0-0, 0.00) will get his first collegiate start against the Belmont Bruins on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT at Hawkins Field.

The Franklin, Tenn., native has made one prior appearance in relief this season, giving up two hits and no runs in one inning or work during the Commodores' 14-1 win over Vermont on March 1.

The Commodores will also host South Alabama Tuesday at 4 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available for both games and can be purchased online or by calling (615) 322.GOLD.

More about Moore can be found here. And check out VUcommodores.com's midweek preview.

Kiper's NFL Mock Draft

In his latest NFL Mock Draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper projects Vanderbilt junior cornerback D.J. Moore to go to Baltimore as the 26th overall pick in the first round. Kiper also has Moore's stock rising on his Big Board at No. 21. Click Here for more.

Two Commodores have been selected in the first round of the draft in the last three years -- Chris Williams (2008, 14th overall by Chicago) and Jay Cutler (2006, 11th overall by Denver).

The 2009 NFL Draft will take place on April 25 and 26 in New York.

Moore Honors

From our football communications office...

Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore became the first Commodore standout in 11 years to receive All-America recognition from the Associated Press when the organization named him to its second team defense Tuesday.

Moore, a junior from Spartanburg, S.C., also was named to SI.com's First Team All-America squad on Tuesday. SI.com became the second key Web site to pick Moore, following a similar decision published last week by Rivals.com. A third highly regarded college football Web site, PhilSteele.com, also recognized Moore as a second team All-American on Tuesday.

"I'm real happy to hear that," Moore said. "I want to thank my teammates and our coaching staff. The coaches really gave me an opportunity to get on the field early in my career and did a great job getting me prepared to play."

Click Here to read the full release.