Every year, it seems at least one small-school prospect takes full advantage of the Senior Bowl, proving they can compete with some of the best players college football has to offer down in Mobile, Alabama.

There were several big winners in that category this year. One of them was former Grambling State offensive lineman David Moore.

Moore is a punishing blocker who proved himself against top pass rushers. He spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about the impression he left on teams at the Senior Bowl, how he answers the “small-school” criticism, and what kind of impact he’ll have at the next level.

JM: How are you finding this process so far?

DM: I’m still soaking it all in. I’m blessed to be in this position. I think back to everything that’s happened this past year. It’s been an unbelievable ride. I’m just trying to take things one day at a time. I’m blessed to be in this position right now. I’m gonna take full advantage of it.

JM: You’ve always been so proud to attend Grambling State. Now that the dust has settled on your college career, how do you look back on it?

DM: I look back on it and I smile. I miss it already (laughs). Grambling meant so much to me. The memories, the bond, the brotherhood—I’ll never let go of those things. I had an incredible time there. Grambling holds a lot of weight in my heart. I’m so thankful to have had that experience.

I didn’t know a lot about HBCU’s when I came out of high school. That’s when I started to learn more about it. I love the history of Grambling. I fell in love during my visit. They sold me (laughs). Guys like Eddie Robinson and Doug Williams did so much for the history of the program. We have so many players in the Hall of Fame. I didn’t really know about all that. It was amazing to find out. To know the history of Grambling and HBCU’s in general, it means a lot to me. Jerry Rice went to an HBCU; the best wide receiver of all time went to Mississippi Valley State. Learning all of this meant the world to me.

JM: I love that. You got a chance to go down to Mobile back in January and represent Grambling at the Senior Bowl. What do you think is the lasting impression you left on the teams there?

DM: I think I showed everybody that I belong. To be named one of the offensive lineman of the week by my peers, that was huge for me. It solidified a lot of things. I belong in this league.

JM: The official measurements at the Senior Bowl had you at 6-2, 350.

DM: Wowwww, that’s a whole lot of weight!

JM: (laughs). You’re a big boy.

DM: It surprised a lot of people. If you look at my body, my stature, and my build, you would probably guess I’m about 320. I didn’t look any bigger than the other guys down there. A lot of people were shocked because I carry my weight so well. I had to get that weight down a bit. I mean, I was moving good for my size out there. Imagine how I move when I drop a few pounds. I already have. I’m already down about 15 pounds. I feel great. I’m progressing well. I’m 335 pounds right now.

JM: You were moving great for 350, but you’re looking even better at 335 currently. What can you tell me about the scheme that you played in? What are you most comfortable or familiar with?

DM: I’m most familiar with power and zone. We did it all though. We ran some spread looks. I’ve seen and learned many formations in my lifetime. I’m comfortable in any scheme really. I’m ready for a pro-style system in the NFL. I’m a quick learner.

JM: Is there an NFL running back you’d love to run block for? What about a quarterback you’d love to protect?

DM: Wow, that’s tough. That’s the first time anybody has ever asked me anything like that (laughs). I have to think about this one. A lot of people don’t know this, but I feel like I’m a football encyclopedia. I really love football like that. I’m a fan. I know the history of football. All I ever want to talk about is football. I can be an NFL analyst for real (laughs). I know names, stats, everything. I’ve been that way since I was a kid. Derrick Henry is the best running back in the NFL right now.

JM: That would be crazy. To see you blocking for Henry, that would be incredibly physical.

DM: Yeah, that’s the truth (laughs). The defense would be taking a beating from me and then they have to go try and tackle Derrick Henry (laughs). For a quarterback, a guy like Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Deshaun Watson, or Lamar Jackson would be cool. Those are some of the best QB’s in the league right there. Of course, it would be an honor to block for anybody in the NFL.

JM: That’s a great list. We’ve talked a lot about your time at Grambling State. You clearly have a lot of love for the program. At some point, some analyst is going to call you a “small-school prospect.” How do you respond?

DM: I would just tell them to turn the tape on. Go watch what I did at the Senior Bowl. I more than held my own against some of the best players in the country there. At the end of the day, I’m going to be judged throughout this process, especially when you come from a small school. It is what it is. I’m confident in my body of work.

I’m just gonna keep working. I’m gonna prove that I can play at the next level. I’m a small school guy that can ball. I hope I can set a positive example for every small school prospect in the nation. I’m in a blessed position. I want to represent every small school and HBCU in the country.

JM: That’s the perfect way to answer that. You’ve been meeting with teams virtually over the past few weeks. How’s that process going for you?

DM: It’s going well. I’m enjoying speaking with so many coaches. I’m still taking this all in. That’s the truth. It’s a day-by-day thing for me. I’m loving the process. I just want to continue impressing everybody during my interviews. That’s what I’ve been doing so far. I’ve met with just about every single team. I met with every team at the Senior Bowl. I’ve been busy since then as well.

JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. I’ve really appreciated your time today. In closing, what kind of impact is David Moore going to make at the next level?

DM: David Moore is gonna make a splash. I’m gonna learn from the vets and I’m gonna make an impact. It’s going to be an amazing ride. I have a lot of good people in my corner. I have a spotlight on me right now, but I have nothing to lose. I’m gonna go out there, have fun and dominate.

Be on the lookout for David Moore as a starter. I wanna be All-Pro someday. I wanna make the All-Rookie team. I wanna compete for a championship in my first year.