Moore signs on with K-State football program

By Andy Brown
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Updated: February 13, 2019

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg senior Austin Moore had big season for the Wildcat football team on both sides of the ball. Moore, however, will walk-on to Kansas State next season as a linebacker.

Austin Moore has spent most of his young life rooting on the crimson and blue of the University of Kansas.

It was all Moore knew as he was raised a Jayhawk fan and had visions of maybe one day playing in Lawrence.

His rooting interests have now changed – at least on the football sides of things – and he is pretty happy about it.

On Feb. 6, Moore made it official that he would be attending Kansas State University as a preferred walk-on for the Wildcat football team. Playing Division I football trumped any loyalty he might have for his – now – rival school.

“That has always been a goal of mine, ever since I was little and it has been a dream to be able to play Division I football,” Moore said. “It makes me happy to be able to accomplish that and have that chance to play at that level.”

Moore will join the K-State team as a linebacker as he slowly works his way up the depth chart and hopes to one day earn a scholarship – something several walk-ons have done with the Wildcats over the years, including another former Louisburg Wildcat, Kody Cook.

The recruiting process was a stressful one at times for Moore as he weighed his options about whether to take a scholarship at a smaller school or walk-on at K-State. The Louisburg senior is definitely satisfied with his decision and is looking forward to his time in Manhattan.

“I am definitely grateful for the opportunity,” Moore said “I definitely wanted a scholarship and I was waiting to see if I could get some at other places. I had a couple smaller schools that gave me offers, but I wanted to be able to play at the highest level I could. K-State has a good walk-on tradition and I thought this would be a good opportunity for me.”

Moore was recruited by head coach Bill Snyder and his assistants, but when Snyder retired and defensive coordinator Blake Seiler left for a different job, the Wildcat assistants wanted to make sure to let Moore know they were still interested.

Louisburg senior Austin Moore signed his letter of intent to play football at K-State on Feb. 6. Sitting next to Austin are his parents Tommy and Alison Moore. Standing (from left) are his sisters Adelyn and Alyse Moore, Louisburg head football coach Robert Ebenstein, Louisburg head wrestling coach Bobby Bovaird and Austin’s brother, Ashton.

Kansas State special teams coach and Director of Recruiting, Taylor Braet, stayed in touch with Moore and he got a chance to meet the new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Scottie Hazelton. Moore also chatted with new head coach Chris Klieman the day before he made it official, and Moore felt comfortable with his decision.

“I talked with Coach Klieman and he said that by next spring I will have a really good chance of getting a lot of playing time,” Moore said. “He told me they were excited to have me and some the other younger kids they signed.

“The main coach who was recruiting me, coach Seiler, left and went to West Virginia. But I still knew Coach Braet and I met the new defensive coordinator (Hazelton) and really like him as well. It was a tough decision to make, but I knew I wanted to stay close to home and it was a good fit.”

Moore would have been a good fit on several teams as he had a big senior season that ended with a regional championship and first team all-league and all-state honors on both sides of the ball.

Prior to breaking his collarbone in the next to last game of the year, Moore led Louisburg in tackles with 83 and had seven tackles for a loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception.

Offensively, he tallied 1,554 total yards, with 1,428 yards of those on the ground and also had 21 touchdowns. Those stats also helped Moore earn a spot on the Shrine Bowl roster this summer as he prepares for his journey to Manhattan.

“I am very excited for Austin,” Louisburg coach Robert Ebenstein said. “K-State will be very young at linebacker after next season, which should give Austin a great opportunity to compete for a role on defense or special teams.”

As for becoming a K-State fan, Moore knows it will be a difficult transition outside of football and it will be an adjustment.

“Basketball season might be kind of weird,” he said. “I might have to cheer for KU every once and while, but now it is time to start cheering for K-State.”