Staff report
A disappointing NFL Draft experience was followed by an ideal free agent fit for Grambling’s David Moore.
Meanwhile, back on campus, the Grambling baseball team had a miserable Saturday and dropped out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division lead.
DAVID MOORE: Hoping to be selected in the middle of the NFL Draft, Moore suffered through the agony of waiting fruitlessly to hear his name called from the podium at draft headquarters in Cleveland.
But shortly after the seventh round ended, he had a job in the NFL, joining the Carolina Panthers with an undrafted free agent contract.
His signing bonus money (terms undisclosed) is a fraction of what those chosen in the draft will receive. NFL teams had a cap of $160,000 to spread among all of their undrafted signees. But the opportunity is there for Moore, and he’ll have an already established mentor to guide him – a priceless advantage.
In last Friday’s LPJ, Moore cited Panthers’ veteran offensive tackle and fellow Grambling product Trent Scott as his best advisor heading into the draft process. Now Scott is already doubtlessly giving Moore insight into the Carolina organization, and particularly, scouting reports on second-year head coach Matt Rhule (formerly the Baylor head coach), offensive coordinator Joe Brady (former LSU offensive guru) and offensive line coach Pat Meyer.
“Obviously I am disappointed I wasn’t selected,” said Moore. “I am excited and very hungry to sign with Carolina and look forward to working with the excellent offensive coaching staff in helping me develop into an outstanding offensive lineman.”
Moore spent much of the spring training with former NFL offensive lineman Bruce Matthews in Houston. Now it’s all about mining the training and advice of Matthews, the mentorship of Scott and converting the opportunity into sticking with Carolina.
BASEBALL: After a 5-2 victory over visiting Prairie View in the series opener Friday, the G-Men were overwhelmed twice Saturday, 15-4 and 12-1.
A three-run eighth inning Friday broke a 2-2 knot and propelled the Tigers to the W. Leading hitter
Jahmoi Percival had the go-ahead RBI after Cameron Phelts led off with a double. Kerry Boykins (7 innings pitched) and Austin Rotramel combined for what turned out to be an excellent pitching performance, based on the Panthers’ production in the next two games.
Cameron Bufford homered twice in Saturday’s first game for Grambling.
Coming on the heels of a shutout loss Tuesday at LSU, the Tigers have suddenly run into an offensive skid after piling on runs the previous weekend at Texas Southern and through the last six weeks.
The Tigers (15-22, 12-16) are home again this weekend for a SWAC series with UAPB. Grambling swept a three-game series at Pine Bluff at the outset of April.
SOFTBALL: The Lady Tigers are geared up to play their final SWAC series at Prairie View Tuesday (1 p.m. doubleheader) and Wednesday (noon single game). Grambling is 10-15 overall, 7-7 in the SWAC. The conference tournament follows May 11-14.
