Early enrollee Dimitri Moore makes it extra-official for Vanderbilt on National Signing Day

Linebacker Dimitri Moore has been on campus since January as one of Vanderbilt football’s two early enrollees. On Wednesday, he made his status with the team doubly official by signing his letter of intent to play for Derek Mason and the Commodores.

Moore is one of the highest-rated recruits in Vandy’s Class of 2017. The pass-rushing linebacker turned down offers from Colorado, Utah, Minnesota, Arizona State, Arkansas, California, and Texas Tech to come to Nashville.

The Texan has the frame and athleticism to be an effective outside linebacker in the SEC, but he’ll have to add some bulk to his 195-pound frame. His speed allowed him to be a productive edge rusher in high school, but he’ll need to develop a more consistent array of inside moves to get past the fleet-footed behemoths who hold down the tackle positions in the NCAA. He’s a technically sound tackler who keeps his head up, leads with his chest, and uses his long arms to wrap up ball carriers.

With time and coaching, he could develop into a dangerous weapon for one of the SEC’s top defenses. He seems destined to remain at outside linebacker in Mason’s 3-4 defense, where his speed and ability to change directions in coverage will suit him well. He’ll face an uphill climb toward playing time his first year on campus thanks to a relatively well-stocked depth chart at OLB. Landon Stokes, Charles Wright, Caleb Peart, Andre Mintze, and fellow Class of 2017 signee Colin Anderson will all compete for snaps this summer.