© 2026 ALLCITY Network Inc.
All rights reserved.
DeAndre Moore Jr. is someone Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion always wanted to coach.
Despite recruiting Moore Jr. to the University of Texas ahead of the 2023 season, Marion didn’t get that opportunity until this year. Marion left Texas to call plays at UNLV before Moore Jr.’s true freshman season and while Moore Jr. played in 37 games (18 starts) at wide receiver for the Longhorns over the last three years, Marion evolved into one of the brightest offensive minds in college football.
Just a month after Marion became Colorado’s OC, Moore Jr. committed to the Buffs. Now Marion can show the world why he always viewed DeAndre Moore Jr. as a special talent.
“I’ve known DeAndre for a long time,” Marion told On3. “I brought him to Texas. I always wanted to coach the kid, not just because of his talent, but because of his leadership and the person that he is. He’s making everybody in the building better just from his leadership.
“I’ll be surprised if he’s not the captain of the team when it’s all said and done because he just elevates the room. He’s almost like a quarterback; he’s that guy who walks in and he has that juice and that energy.”
DeAndre Moore Jr. has put together back-to-back seasons of legitimate production in the SEC (77 catches for 988 yards and 11 TDs during that span). The 6-foot, 190-pounder became a reliable target for Texas QB Arch Manning in 2025, catching 38 of 49 targets (77.6%) for a career-high 532 yards and dropping just three passes all year.
Don't like ads?
Most of Moore Jr.’s damage last season was done in the intermediate part of the field. He caught 14 of his 18 targets (77.8%) on passes 10-19 yards downfield for 229 yards and two TDs. That’s noteworthy because the intermediate part of the field is also where Colorado QB Julian Lewis thrived in 2025.
In his first career start (Week 11 vs. West Virginia), Lewis completed all seven of his intermediate pass attempts (10-19 yards) for 115 yards and a TD. Moore’s effectiveness in the middle of the field should be an excellent complement to Lewis’ skillset.
That’s not even the biggest reason why Marion is elated to finally coach DeAndre Moore Jr. Although he missed the entirety of Colorado’s spring practices due to a toe injury, Moore Jr. impressed teammates and coaches with his leadership.
He’s expected to be full-go by the time fall camp rolls around and a focal point of Marion’s Go-Go offense. There’s been plenty of buzz around Danny Scudero, and rightfully so, but don’t be surprised if DeAndre Moore Jr. looks like Julian Lewis’ favorite target in 2026.
“I always wanted to coach him because of the person he is,” Marion said last month of DeAndre Moore Jr. “I know he’s a great player but DeAndre is a dynamic person. Obviously, you guys will get to see that as he gets healthy and gets to play.
“DeAndre has been great from a leadership perspective and showing up everyday with a smile on his face. He’s leading the guys and teaching them what it looks like to be a receiver from the standpoint of knowledge-wise.”
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.
Comments
Share your thoughts
Join the conversation
The Comment section is only for diehard members
Scroll to next article
Don't like ads?
Don't like ads?
