After a year on the sideline, all-conference linebacker Moore returns to field
Evan Nemec
6/11/2025
ABILENE – When the ACU football medical staff turned and started slowly walking away, Darius Moore knew something wasn't right.
The junior linebacker had just made a tackle, planted his foot and felt a pop in his knee toward the end of a scrimmage in the first week or two of spring practices in March 2024.
"I didn't immediately feel pain. I tried to do one more play, but I couldn't run," said Moore. "I prepared myself mentally that I would probably have to go on a journey to come back."
Head orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Stark and ACU's then-associate athletic director for sports medicine Brendan Powers said Moore tore both his ACL and meniscus. Stark was able to reconstruct the meniscus, but it meant Moore's recovery time would be longer, and he could not put any weight on his leg for about eight weeks.
"My mom came down and stayed with me for about a week. She would tell me that I could do this on my own. She reminded me that at the end of the day I'm a man and I can figure out how to make it work.”
Moore had a stellar year in 2023 as he became a starter at strong side linebacker. His 78 tackles led the Wildcats, and he was named Preseason All-United Athletic Conference ahead of the 2024 season. But he knew his injury would sideline him for most of the season. Coaches held out a glimmer of hope that Moore could be ready for the last few games, be part of what turned out to be a historic FCS playoff run, and still use a medical redshirt to preserve a year of eligibility.
But, Moore's rehab stretched deeper into the season. It became clear he would not return to the field in 2024. Moore said going from an active and contributing player to a bystander was a difficult transition to make. But he credited his teammates with picking him up.
"They got me through the season," Moore said. "When I was feeling down, everybody would remind me of who I was, that I was good, and what I did the season before.
“The support I was getting made it easier, but it was tough mentally knowing I wasn't going to get to play the 2024 season when I felt I was at the peak of my performance."
Cirby Coheley, who was also a Preseason All-UAC pick, and Arizona State transfer Will Shaffer led ACU's linebacking corps. Even while he was hurt, Moore served as Shaffer's host for his recruiting trip in the summer and helped bring the future All-American to Abilene.
"Since he's been here we've been like brothers," said Moore. "We hang out off the field, on the field. I was happy to see those guys perform at a high level. I'm glad everything happened how it happened because this is the way God wants this to happen. That's what kept me sane – still being with my team and my guys.
“Even though I wasn't [on the field] I can help them with what I've seen or done and help make our team better. That's what I focused on to help me get through that."
With more time off than he’d ever had in college, Moore leaned more into his school work. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in May with a focus on business, communications and criminal justice. He’s now working towards a master’s in business.
Moore started his college career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. As a freshman in 2021, he led the Golden Norsemen with 63 tackles in nine games. Moore thought about returning to NEO for a second year but felt comfortable with the Wildcats’ coaching staff and chose to transfer to ACU.
“It was one of the best decisions. It turned me into the man I’m about to be, the man I am. I graduated in May on time. I came here to do what they told me I would do, and I’m still playing football.”
Moore is starting his fourth year at ACU – a veritable lifetime to spend at one school in today’s college athletics landscape. The choice to stay instead of entering the transfer portal came down to people.
The bond of all the teammates and players is different here at ACU. We’ve always been trying to prove people wrong, and now we’ve got people’s attention. It’s great to see things change and be a part of that. I’ve always been one to take on a challenge and take things differently. Now we have a chance to compete for a national championship if we do what we need to do.Darius Moore
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— DARIUS MOORE (@dariusmoore03) December 9, 2024
Moore finally stepped back on the field when spring practice began in March. His red jersey among everyone else’s purple or white ones signaled caution. He admits he was a little nervous at first as he adjusted back to the speed of the game and tried to regain his confidence.
“I’m trying to use the knowledge I gained while I was hurt to slow things down on the field so I can make plays I wasn’t making before and continue to make plays that I was making before I got hurt, too.”
The Wildcats open the 2025 season on Aug. 30 at Tulsa, which is about a two-hour drive from Moore’s hometown of El Reno, Oklahoma. The location already makes for a homecoming, but his journey over the past year will give the game more meaning.
“I’m hoping to have fans all through [the stadium]. Hearing my name when I make my first tackle, looking up and realizing how far I’ve come with this journey as a man and as an athlete. It made me a better man.”