DeLand star Taihj Moore sits No. 1 in debut of Sentinel 2028 Super60

Taihj Moore is quiet, shy, soft-spoken and extremely humble. Some first-time interviewers struggle like dentists trying to pull out teeth.

“I don’t know. I was just raised like that,” Moore said of his somewhat reticent disposition.

Give the sophomore DeLand running back a football, however, and he gets real loud — so loud that this season he has been a huge part why the Bulldogs are undefeated at 12-0 and headed into the Class 7A region finals next week.

Moore had rushed for 1,252 yards and 23 touchdowns, a whopping 10.5 yards per carry. He has also caught 17 passes for 244 yards and another touchdown, 14.3 yards per catch. He’s an offensive machine, and the scary thing is that Moore is just getting started.

“Oh, I think I can be way better,” Moore said Friday night after rushing for 105 yards on five carries against Boone in a 65-17 victory. He also had a 47-yard touchdown catch, all in the first half.

He said he was humbled to know he has been selected as the No. 1 player in his class in the Sentinel’s debut of the 2028 Central Florida Super60 college football prospects rankings.

“That’s makes me feel good,” Moore said.

When asked if he considers himself deserving of the recognition, Moore said, “I would say, ‘Yes.’ ”

Simple and to the point. He’ll never be accused of verbosity.

He’s a cliché in motion, doing his talking on the field — and he talks plenty between the lines. Thanks in large part to Moore and senior Marceles Carey, DeLand has racked up more than 400 yards in two straight playoff games, and the Bulldogs are on a roll.

“It feels great just being a part of this team,” Moore said. “I just love being around these guys because they are all so humble, and they just make me feel like I’m at home and we’re a big family.”

With Moore in the same backfield as the equally dynamic Carey, it makes for a pretty exciting offense at DeLand.

“It’s cool and it’s fun watching him. He can watch me do things too. We both can do the same things.” Moore said.

The limit seems boundless for Moore, but first thing in line is the quest for the state title. Can the Bulldogs give coach Rick Darlington his fourth state championship?

“I don’t know. I hope so,” Moore said.

Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.