John Tyler’s Travaughn Moore Receiving Interest from FBS Programs

John Tyler's outgoing football class will leave myriad holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but Travaughn Moore is one player to keep an eye on come this fall.

The 6-foot-3, 291-pound lineman will be one of the Lions' top returnees after their 13-2 Class 4A Division I state semifinal run this past fall. Moore started on the offensive line as a junior, but could see increased playing time at defensive tackle in 2013.

Moore told ETSN.fm on Tuesday afternoon that he's being recruited at both positions. Texas Tech has invited him to the Red Raiders' April 20 spring game, and he's already attended an SMU junior day. He added that he's heard from several smaller programs as well.

"I like defense," Moore said. "That's where I started out, but the team needed me more for offense. I just like hitting people, I guess."

Moore said conference affiliation doesn't matter at all when it comes to recruiting, but another aspect stands out: coaching.

"I just want a fun environment coaching-staff wise," he said. "Energetic and always having fun in practice."

John Tyler must replace 17 graduating seniors who will play college football, including seven at the Division I FBS or D-I FCS level. That group includes Houston signees Greg Ward -- a quarterback who accounted for more than 5,000 total yards in 2012 -- and defensive end Tyus Bowser, ETSN.fm's Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 24 sacks. John Tyler's top four receivers -- Mississippi State signee Fred Ross, Sam Houston State signee Darion Flowers, SFA signee Justice Liggins, and Texas A&M-Commerce signee DeQuante Woods -- will all be gone, too.

Moore said the Lions have the talent to compensate for the heavy losses, but must approach the 2013 season the right way.

"We know we can do it. It's a mind thing," Moore said. "Everybody's thinking we're not gonna be that good, but we know we can do it."