Ex-Nansemond-Suffolk star embraces his second chance
Moore lands at Liberty after stops at JMU, JUCO
When the February national signing day rolled around, KeShaun Moore was still unsure where he would land.
The former Nansemond-Suffolk Academy star watched as many of his Lackawanna Junior College teammates signed, including locals Amelio Moran and Pheldarius Payne. Moran, who played at Princess Anne High, signed with Maryland. Payne, who played at Nansemond River High, signed with Nebraska.
“It was a little tough, but I’m a mentally tough person,” Moore said about watching teammates sign on that day.
He knew his day was coming. Now it has, as Moore committed to play with Liberty University.
“I’ll sign officially after the coronavirus stuff is over,” he said. “They have a scholarship for me and I’ve already verbally committed.”
This is a second chance for Moore, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound linebacker. He began his career at James Madison, but was dismissed from the program for an undisclosed violation of team rules. It’s something Moore didn’t want to further discuss, but said it was a “learning experience.”
He played in 10 games for the Dukes and started six in the 2018 season, including 28 tackles and a sack as a redshirt freshman.
After the incident, Moore had to start over. He transferred to Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
“I was just happy to be playing football and going to school again,” said Moore. “Some guys look down on ( junior college), but I had football taken away from me. So I was just blessed to be able to play again and get myself back to where I wanted to be.”
He, along with Moran and Payne, helped lead Lackawanna to the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship game last year. The Falcons lost to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 24-13.
Moore, who finished the season with 68 tackles and three sacks and was named a secondteam NJCAA All-American, is thankful for a second chance.
“It’s definitely changed my outlook on the game,” he said.
“Going through all that made me appreciate it that much more. Now it’s like, how bad do I really want it? I work harder in the classroom and it’s changed me in every aspect of my life.”
Former Nansemond-Suffolk coach Lew Johnston is happy for his former player. He’s glad Moore — with the help of current Saints coach Mike Biehl — was able to get back on track at Lackawanna.
“Kids make mistakes; Smart ones learn from them,” he said. “Lackawanna gave him the second chance that he needed. Now he will be competing at the FBS level at a school that is climbing the ladder quickly. It’s a great fit. I’m proud of him.”