Boise State numerical roster countdown 2016: Day 48, David Moa

There's just 48 days until kickoff, so today I'll highlight a guy that used to wear those digits, but will wear #55 this year (we found this out too late, sadly)—David Moa

#48, David Moa, Sophomore, DL

Stats

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 268 lbs. (+2)

High School: Kearny High School, San Diego, CA

How'd he get to The Blue^TM?

Moa was a consensus 3-star recruit according to ESPN, Scout and 247sports as well as being included on Scout.com's "Top 10 DEs on the West Coast" list. Moa starred on both the offensive and defensive line at Kearny but was somewhat under-recruited—possibly because Kearny limped to a 1-9 season his senior year. On offense, Moa was named San Diego Section All-Western League as both a junior and senior and defensively was named second-team San Diego Section All-Central League in his sophomore campaign. In 2013, Moa registered 28 tackles and recovered a fumble and the previous year racked up 36 stops, a sack and two fumble recoveries. Moa was also a standout on the hardwood, helping lead his team to a San Diego Section Division III championship as a senior (Moa had 19 points and 18 rebounds in the championship game). Moa held offers from Montana, BYU, Colorado and Portland State and had garnered heavy interest from Oregon.

Nickname

"The Moa Constrictor"

I see no reason why this shouldn't happen.

Look-a-like

New Zealand rugby star Akira Ioane

Career highlights

Appeared in 5 games for the Broncos as a redshirt frosh in 2015—registering 3 tackles and a sack. Named San Diego Section All-Western League on offense as a junior (2012) and senior (2013). As a sophomore in 2011, was named to the San Diego Section All-Central League second team on defense. Won San Diego Section Division III basketball championship in 2013. Member of KHS Honor Roll.

2016 prospectus

After two years in Boise, I think it's more than safe to say that Moa's time has finally come and he'll be a huge part of the defensive line rotation in 2016. Moa got his feet wet last season, playing in 5 games on a senior-laden D-line, and that experience will pay off this year as Steve Caldwell's rebuild begins in earnest. In all honesty, Moa's 2015 playing time has already paid dividends, as he spent all of spring camp with the "ones' (alongside senior Elliot Hoyte) and was roundly praised by Caldwell for his efforts.

“I think the guy that has been most surprising to me has been David Moa, man, he is really having a good spring,” Caldwell said. “... Everything we ask him to do, he tries to do it exactly that way.” (Source)

Moa's emergence really couldn't have come at a better time, as the interior D-line will be light on experience this season (but decidedly not light on poundage) and anyone with a modicum of experience will be looked to for leadership. Moa has the versatility to play DE if push came to shove, but I think DT will suit him well and I think he can do many of the same things that were asked of "tweener" Tyler Horn. Expect Moa and Hoyte to anchor the interior this fall and for some newcomers to work their way into the rotation under their tutelage.

Is he on Twitter?

Survey says: no.

Completely made up fact

David and I share the same favorite food: "free"