Joshua Moore still ‘100 percent’ to Gators as ‘Canes and ‘Noles continue to push

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA — Four-star Florida Gators receiver commit Joshua Moore of Pembroke Pines (Fla.) West Broward speaks often with his future position coach in Gainesville, Billy Gonzales . And according to Moore, Gonzales is excited about the product Florida will put on the field this season.

“He said he’s got that feeling — it’s a good feeling,” Moore told Gators Online. “Coach Gonzales — he said he’s got that feeling — championship feeling. Me and Coach Gonzales, we talk every day. He asks me how practice is going, how I’m feeling, did I eat. He’s just checking up on me.”

Gonzales is the Florida coach with whom Moore speaks to the most. But Moore also has good relationships with the rest of the staff in Gainesville, too. So does his family. Those bonds played a big role in Moore’s decision to commit to the Gators in late June — and are one reason he said Saturday he remains solid.

“Still 100 percent locked in. Go Gators,” Moore said. “It just feels like a home — a second home for me. It feels like family. My parents love them, I love them, my coaches love them. That’s like home. And the relationship I’ve built with the coaches — (and quarterback) DJ Lagway — it feels like a brotherhood.”

Joshua Moore is excited about the Gators’ future at QB

Moore said he speaks often with Lagway, a touted freshman and Florida’s quarterback of the future. Lagway’s message to him: “‘Stay strong — we’re going.’ He’ll try to get me the ball. We’re going to grow up together.”

Moore watched Lagway during spring practice and was impressed. Now, he’s hopeful Lagway will play some this season as the top backup to returning starter Graham Mertz .

“I just hope to see greatness,” Moore told Gators Online. “I went to a practice and saw him and he’s the real deal.”

Moore, the No. 9 receiver in the country for On3, is one of two big-name receiver commits in the 2025 class for Florida. Vernell Brown III , a top-50 national recruit, is the other. Brown committed to the Gators in July. Now, Florida still hopes to add two more receivers to the class.

“That’s big,” Joshua Moore said of Brown’s addition. “That boy’s a gamer. We’re just waiting on Naeshaun Montgomery (of Miami Central) to commit — come on. I feel like we’ve got a chance. Hopefully we’ve got a good chance of getting him because that boy, he’s balling.”

UF will have to hold off two in-state rivals

Meanwhile, both Florida State and Miami continue to heavily recruit Moore. Of the two programs, Moore said the ‘Canes are pushing him the hardest.

“Miami, they’re definitely trying real hard,” Moore said. “(The message is) Come make the crib great again. You know, they do things for me, I can do things for them. I’m listening. I’ve just got to see how things play about. I’ve got to pray about it more.”

Moore said he plans to attend homes games at both Miami and FSU. And he won’t shut down his recruitment until “signing day,” he said. The reason? Moore wants to make sure Florida is in a good spot when he signs.

What would impress him this fall from Billy Napier’s program?

“Just have a winning season,” Moore said. “And the receivers have to have good productively. They’ve got to be on point. (The receivers) are looking pretty good. I’m not even going to lie … I think they’re gonna have a winning record. But I can’t give a prediction. That’s too hard. They’ve got some tough games.”

One of those tough games is Aug. 31 at The Swamp, where Florida plays host to Miami.

“I can’t wait to go to that game,” Moore said. “That’s a big game. First game of the season. Rivalry, too. I can’t wait.”

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