Moore excited about chance to start

Moore hopes to hit his target weight of 275 before the start of the season.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sun Aug 07 23:10:16 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON – Any time spent with Clemson defensive tackle Rennie Moore Rennie Moore

Defensive Tackle

#94 6-4, 270

Saint Marys, GA

No matter what kind of mood a person is in when they see Moore, they always leave in a better mood simply because he is one of those people that make everyone around him smile. His down-home humor [he hails from St. Mary’s, Ga., in Camden County] and country expressions leave all of the reporters smiling.

However, Moore is in his second season of trying to make the transition from a speed rusher on the edge to the grueling, nastiness of the middle of the line, and he made sure that the media he talked to knew that he was expecting big things this season and that he is taking the job of trying to replace Jarvis JenkinsJarvis Jenkins

Defensive Tackle

#99 6-4, 315

Clemson, SC

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“I am happier than a hog in slop right now,” Moore said Saturday evening. “You all are going to see how happy I am this season. Right now, you can't really tell because this is working time. But this is going to be a good season.”

Moore said he weighed in at 268 pounds last Thursday, undersized to be sure, and he said he hopes to hit his target weight of 275 before the start of the season, but the heat and humidity are causing him to lose even more.

“Once I start eating and stop all of this sweating I will get there,” he said. “Right now, they are running us ragged and I am dropping pounds. If I had Ma Dukes up here [cooking], I would be alright. But I am on my own up here and it is hard.”

Moore said he hopes he can show the coaches that he can be a run stopper as well as a pass rusher.

“Right now, I am trying to work the kinks out, and work on my technique,” he said. “I know I will be alright come game time. Coach Batson has helped me in my hips, and staying low and playing with leverage. Leverage always wins. Coach Batson is working on my hips and my lower body. Right now, I have to keep my strength up so I can play some ball and knock them boys back.”

Moore said that working on his technique has already helped him in practice against Landon WalkerLandon Walker

Offensive Line

#72 6-6, 310

North Wilkesboro, NC

View Full Profile and Antoine McClainAntoine McClain

Offensive Line

#74 6-5, 330

Anniston, AL

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“When you've got jokers 300 pounds double-teaming you, you better be good at something," Moore said. “Right now, I am just learning how to get low and use my lower body strength. I took on McClain and Landon and it felt pretty good.”

Moore was asked how he could be in such high spirits while the rest of his teammates were dragging, and he said the answer was simple.

“I love football,” he said. “It’s the only sport where you can hit somebody and not go to jail for it. It is my sport. I go out there and I have fun with the coaches and I have fun with my teammates. It is great.”

He said he thinks his all-day motor is making an impression on the younger players the Tigers have brought in.

“I can go all day, and I get energy from the game. I hope the other person does too, or they are going to feel some wrath,” he said. “I have to do right in front of these younger players, and show them the right things both on and off the field. I gotta lead by example.”