2013 NFL Draft Prospects: Sio Moore Scouting Profile

Today’s prospect is an Outside Linebacker from Connecticut who had a pretty good performance at the Combine on Monday. Sio Moore stands at 6’1", 240 lbs. He is ranked 6th out of 263 Outside Linebacker prospects and 72nd overall. His Combine 40 Time was 4.65 and he is projected as a 2nd-3rd round draft pick in April. Andrew Mason sent this Tweet out the other day:

UConn LB Sio Moore, a native of Liberia, said he met with #Broncos officials at the East-West Shrine Game.

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 23, 2013

BIO

#3 Sio Moore
Birthdate: May 2, 1990 (22)
Degree: Political Science

COMBINE
Arm Length-33 5/8"
Hand Length-10 1/4"
Bench Press-29
Vertical Jump-38"
Broad Jump-127"
3 Cone-7.49
20 yd Shuttle-4.31
Production Ratio-1.21
Explosion Number-77.58
Lateral Agility Score-0.34

A key to the Husky defense throughout his term at East Hartford, Moore played 42 games and started 24. He amassed 274 Tackles, 44 TFL’s, 16 Sacks, 18 Pass Breakups, 4 Interceptions, 4 Forced Fumbles and 4 Fumbles Recovered.

In 2012, Moore added 72 Tackles, 15.5 TFL's, 8 Sacks and 11 Pass Breakups to his resume, earning All-Big East first-team honors.

During his Junior year (2011), Sio (pronounced SEE-Oh) was the 3rd-leading Tackler on the Huskies with 86 and led the team with 16 Tackles For a Loss. Moore was the 2nd leading Sack man with 6.5. He had a season-high 13 Tackles vs. Louisville and 3.5 TFL’s at Vanderbilt, with all of them being Sacks. Sio averaged 1.33 TFL’s per game on the year.

In 2010, he was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week twice. Sio started nine of the final ten games of the season and was the 2nd leading Tackler on the team with 110 stops. He was also 2nd on the team with 11.5 TFL’s and added 1.5 Sacks. Moore amassed a career-high 17 Tackles and a pair of Forced Fumbles against West Virginia (Oct. 29), picking up one BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week recognition. He also earned the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Football Writers Association of America/Bronko Nagurski Award National Defensive Player of the Week and the Defensive Game Ball. On Sept. 25 against Buffalo, Sio had a 16 Tackle-one Interception performance and picked up his other BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on the season. Moore had 12 Tackles vs. Rutgers (Oct. 8) and 10 vs. USF (Dec. 4).

The 2009 season saw Moore play in 4 games. He recorded 6 Tackles on the season with one Tackle For a Loss. Three of those Tackles and the TFL came against Rhode Island (Sept. 26).

In 2008, Sio was redshirted. He was named the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week 3 times; before the Louisville (Sept. 26), North Carolina (Oct. 4) and Syracuse (Nov. 15) games. Moore was also named the Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Week before the Hofstra game (Aug. 28).

DRAFT PROFILE

NFL.COM DRAFT GRADE-68.4

STRENGTHS: Moore is a disciplined player who follows through on his assignments and maintains gap responsibilities to prevent cutbacks. He reads and reacts quickly and has the speed to close, making him a classic 4-3 weak-side linebacker candidate. A solid tackler, he is able to break down and securely wrap the ball carrier’s torso or leg for minimal yards after the catch.

He has often drawn Tight Ends and larger receivers as an assignment, using his agility to run routes with them to the sideline or down the seam. He gets a good initial jam at the line of scrimmage, can jump slants and win jump balls to force incompletions.

WEAKNESSES: At his size, Moore will need to continue to improve his strength in taking on and shedding blocks. His average closing speed means he might not be an elite playmaker at the next level. He can be eluded by quicker ballcarriers in the open field and the backfield when failing to break down quickly. He will need to use his hands more consistently to beat blocks at the line.

NFL COMPARISON: Michael Boley (Giants)

During the Shrine Game practices, Moore started the week as an underrated prospect, but he showed during practice sessions what most already knew: He's a pretty good football player. He was a versatile performer in college with good production as a hybrid linebacker for the Huskies, not looking out of place when asked to play in space against either the run or pass. Even in non-contact drills, Moore's competitive drive and explosive hitting ability were evident, and he will likely earn a top-100 grade from more than a few NFL teams. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com

NFLDraft Scout

VIDEOS

Sio Moore vs NC State (2012)

Sio Moore vs Pittsburgh 2012.

Sio Moore-3 Games (2012)

Moore had impressive numbers, with a Production Ratio over 1.00 and an Explosion Number over 70, two figures that will garner attention from any scout. His 40 Time, Bench Press, Vertical and Broad Jump numbers were at the top of his position group during the Combine.

He isn’t the biggest of linebackers, but he did register 274 career Tackles at UConn as a 3-year starter while proving his ability to make an impact at the line of scrimmage, behind it and as a pass defender. Sio is productive, plays stronger than his frame indicates, and has the athleticism to play either strong side, or weak side Linebacker at the next level.

It is easy to see why the Broncos would take an interest in Moore, but with his excellent Combine, he may have upgraded his draft position beyond the area where Denver has it’s selections. Still, if the draft shakes out and Sio comes to them, he might be hard to pass on.

Go Broncos!

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