After missing the 2016 season with a herniated disk, South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore will return to the gridiron in 2017. During a halftime ceremony at a men's basketball game against Ole Miss on Jan. 14, it was announced that Moore will return to the Gamecocks, despite some speculation that he might begin to pursue a professional career after recovering from his neck injury.
Moore redshirted his 2016 season because of the injury, but from 2013 to 2015, he led South Carolina's defense in tackles every season. In 2015, he recorded 111 tackles, the second-highest recorded for any Gamecock in the last 25 years.
Inserting Moore back into the Gamecocks' defense figures to make the linebacking corps one of South Carolina's biggest strengths on the defensive side of the ball, especially when paired with Bryson-Allen Williams. The return of Moore should also help counteract the pending loss of senior Jonathan Walton and T.J. Holloman.
Moore could still potentially help the Gamecocks at the safety position. Muschamp has previously expressed interest in employing Moore as a safety due to his versatility and athleticism, which allow him to be effective against both the passing game and against the run. However, a move to safety would now seem less likely as Moore comes off his injury and looks to resume a normal routine.
Moore's decision to return to South Carolina is a definite boon for the Gamecocks, but a personal gamble for him that could have a drastic positive or negative impact on his aspirations as a professional. Before his surgery, Moore was regarded as a potential early-round draft pick in the 2017 NFL draft. A healthy season with production similar to his junior season would allow him to raise his stock back up to that level for the 2018 draft, but another major injury could threaten his chances as a professional.
Another productive season could also potentially cement Moore's status as one of the most accomplished players at his position in the history of the program. Moore would become the 12th player in NCAA history to lead his team in tackling in four seasons if he becomes South Carolina's leading tackler in 2017. He is also three interceptions short of the program record. Moore has averaged 3.67 picks per season in his collegiate career.
Moore will continue to work in the weight room this offseason now that his injury has healed, and could target a return for the Garnet-Black Spring Game traditionally held in April. The Gamecocks open the 2017 season against NC State at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sept. 2.