DeWitt, Ark.’s Will Moss is already a sizable young man at 14, standing at 6’3” and 284 lbs., but there are plenty more reasons why he’s been selected as part of Youth1's Freshman450. Moss has shown that he is a dominant lineman on both offense and defense, which is why the 2023 athlete is on the varsity team for the DeWitt High School Dragons.
“I am incredibly honored to be in the Freshman450 with other top athletes in the nation,” he said. “It's nice to be recognized for my hard work and dedication that I have put into this game.”
Watching his 8th-grade highlight video, one can see why he's playing for the varsity Dragons. At offensive tackle, Moss uses his size, quickness, strength and aggressiveness to overpower defenders and open mile-wide holes that Dragon running backs can speed through, as well as him moving downfield to clear more defenders. Moss also displays his specialty—pass blocking.
“I enjoy protecting the QB and making holes for the running back,” he said, but he knows that he has to work hard to continue playing at a high level.
“As a 14-year-old senior varsity player, I feel that I am maturing, but I have a lot of work to do mentally and physically,” Moss noted, adding that he wants to focus on improving his strength, quickness and technique.
In his highlight video, he's also a dominant defensive tackle, where he uses the same skills to stop any ball carrier in his tracks along with clogging up the middle of the line. Moss’ quickness and hard-driving motor allow him to track down whoever has the ball past the line of scrimmage.
This year, Moss has received a number of accolades that include NextGen Elite Texas Showcase Vicis Outstanding Lineman award; a Top 5 OL recognition at the NextGen "The Show" at IMG Academy; an FBU Top Gun All Camp Team; and an invite to the NextGen All American Showcase.
Moss wrote about his future objectives in his Youth1 profile, stating, “My main goal this season is to make holes for my running back and to protect my quarterback so they can put points on the board, and to help my team make it to the playoffs.
“I realize to reach my goals it will take a lot of hard work,” he added. “I'm very coachable, and I always encourage my teammates on the field and in practice. I believe academics is very important. I work hard to keep a 4.0 GPA.”
The big tackle will be grinding by attending several camps and combines this offseason. As soon as the season ends, he will be doing plenty of weight lifting and extra technique work.
“I need to be quicker, stronger, have heavier hands and have better technique,” Moss maintained. If he keeps driving and working hard, the DeWitt Dragons may have its own version of Tyron Smith on its offensive line.
To view the entire Freshman450, please click -> here.
For more on Will Moss, check out his Youth1 Player Profile -> here.
View his highlights below.
Article written by Tom Warnick.