Scott Shafer — surrounded by a crowd of reporters — interrupted his press conference when he was asked about Kendall Moore’s spring practice progression.

“Kendall, how much you weigh?” Shafer shouted across the Iocolano-Petty Football Wing.

Moore’s progress is tied directly into his weight. Since his position change from tight end last season to center in 2015, Moore has been asked to gain at least a pound a week. He started at 235 at the start of the second semester in January and hopes to get up to 270. In response to Shafer, he shouted back “252,” before chuckling.

There aren’t many similarities to the position he’s changed from to the one he will assume, but Shafer, Syracuse’s head coach, said he was the most athletic of the offensive linemen. He’s been using the spring to work on his footwork and to gain weight, and his transition has gone well thus far.

“My first few years playing tight end were fun, but I feel like I’m back at home playing offensive line,” Moore said, noting he played tackle in high school. “It’s coming along fairly easy.”

Moore said he’s taken on a mentee role with players like Nick Robinson, Ivan Foy, Rob Trudo and even Terrel Hunt. He said he feels like he knows the offense and is confident with the plays. His main adjustment is learning to block guys that are larger than him.

At tight end, he blocked slimmer and more agile opponents. Now, he’s working on men with more girth.

“I’ve picked up a lot of weight,” Moore said. “The weight is coming on, and the strength is coming too. It’s just the pounds. Once I get up to a comfortable 270, the dynamics of the position will change.”

Moore said he’s going as hard as he ever did in the weight room, but has nearly doubled his daily calorie intake from 3,200 to 6,000. It consists of a lot of protein, eggs and “raw stuff.”

With Syracuse shifting around its offense to include a new “hybrid” position that’s working with the tight ends and the addition of junior college transfer Trey Dunkelberger to the tight end mix, Moore has been able to fill a different need for Syracuse.
Last season, he made just four catches for 31 yards. His only touchdown was what would eventually be a game-winner in a 27-26 double-overtime win over Villanova in the first game of the season.

Trudo had been taking the majority of reps at center before an injury, which Moore said has given him more of a chance in practice. Tackle Omari Palmer said he expects Moore to be one of two potential starters for Saturday’s spring game along with Jason Emerich.

It’s a transition for Moore, but one that’s moved along quickly.

“Kendall Moore, I’m proud of him for stepping in as a center,” Hunt, SU’s starting quarterback said. “He’s doing a fantastic job. He’s taking a leadership role because Trudo’s out right now. It’s next man up.”

Asst. sports editor Matt Schneidman, mcschnei@syr.edu, contributed reporting to this article.

Published on March 31, 2015 at 11:06 pm

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3