After what has been a quiet first offseason for the Houston Gamblers, the team decided to sign wide receiver Joshua Moore.
The team made the announcement Monday evening on Twitter in what is the first signing of a player who didn’t play for the team in the 2022 season. Houston did sign safety Manny Bunch earlier this month, but he was on the roster this season for the Gamblers.
Moore spent four years with the Texas Longhorns with the hopes and expectations of being a top receiver on the roster. In three seasons, he recorded 61 catches for 790 yards and 13 touchdowns. He did run into issues back in 2019 when he was suspended for the whole season after being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
After reportedly having issues with coach Steve Sarkisian during the 2021 season, Moore entered the transfer portal and decided to go to SMU. Back in May, the Dallas Morning News reported that he made the decision that he was no longer going to attend SMU. Questions arose regarding his football career with the decision now appearing that he decided to turn pro.
It’s a key move for the Gamblers as they look to add depth to the position after losing their top receiver Isaiah Zuber to the NFL. That type of speed is too tough to replicate, but Moore has the same type of abilities to fill in the void. He’s considered fast and can create separation from defenders. The only issue with Moore is his character with a few reported issues with the law and relationships with his coaches, but a league is a place for second chances.
Houston will look for Moore to make an immediate impact should he make the roster this upcoming spring. He will have to compete with JoJo Ward, Anthony Ratliff-Williams, Teo Redding, Tyler Simmons, and Tyler Palka. With his six-foot-one-inch stature, where he would be the best fit in the offense could be playing in the slot position.
A lot can change in the upcoming months as the roster is ever evolving, but this is a clear sign that the USFL is able to attract talent from college. It was a move that benefited the XFL when they signed safety Kenny Robinson while still in college. Other college players might look at the USFL as a viable option to prepare for the NFL.
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