Broncos bolster Class of 2017 with Mesa’s Isiah Moore
By Curt Ashcraft - T-Bird Insider
Located just south of the Sandusky River lives one of northern Ohio's most football rich communities.
Every year, the Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes seem to find themselves in the hunt for yet another berth in the Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoffs, and that same persistent attitude doesn't stop at graduation.
Former Tiffin Columbian standout and current Mesa Community College sophomore offensive lineman, Isiah Moore, announced on June 17 that he would be taking his talents to Idaho for the 2017 season to become a member of the Boise State Broncos.
While a scholarship offer would mean just that for most recruits, Moore's process in reaching a Division I school didn't go as smooth as most.
"I graduated from Columbian in 2014 and that fall semester I was enrolled at Bowling Green. I was there for fall training camp and we were getting ready for our first game when the NCAA came in and said that I was never eligible to be enrolled at a Division I program," said Moore.
Moore then went back home to work on raising his test scores when his dad, who lives in Phoenix, reached out to Mesa's head football coach, Ryan Felker.
After Felker was informed of the young man's situation, he reached out to Moore about joining the Thunderbirds, and ever since January of 2015, Moore has been apart of the Mesa football family.
Starting in all but four games for the Thunderbirds during the 2015 season, the 6'4", 280-pound Moore received scholarship offers from more than 14 NCAA Division I programs, but an official visit to Boise was enough for the Tiffin, Ohio-native to make his decision.
"I first started talking to schools midway through last season, and then Coach (Scott) Huff (Boise State's Offensive Line Coach) wanted to know about more than just football and wanted to know more about my family," proclaimed Mesa's All-ACCAC selection.
"We've talked a lot ever since then and when I went on my official visit, it was awesome up there. I'm ready to play on that blue field."
In less than two years, Moore has been through the ups and downs with the game he loves.
A game that he fell in love with on Friday nights under the lights back in that small town environment. The same environment where high school football is king and the town would shut down to celebrate.
Now that he has decided on his future, Moore is ready to focus on the game that started at his roots and is preparing for a successful Thunderbird season in 2016.
"Right now is a great opportunity to just focus on weight training, conditioning and winning a bunch of football games next season. It's a great opportunity for everyone."
There is no question that the Mesa Community College football program has done a tremendous job of sending players onto the Division I level, and whether it be coaching advice or previous opportunities, Moore knows that those moments have helped him get to where he is today.
Moore may not be the first Thunderbird to head to the Division I level, nor will he be the last, but for a young man that has enjoyed his time down here in the sun, he has a few words of his own advice for those of his past, present and future.
"Never lose faith. If you have a goal, you've got to do anything to get that goal. No matter the obstacle, you've just got to keep moving forward."
The Thunderbirds will begin the 2016 season on Saturday, September 3 when they travel to Phoenix College to take on the Bears at 7:00 p.m. MST.