Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore is one of the most exciting and polished receivers available in the 2022 NFL Draft. Moore experienced an excellent NFL Scouting Combine by posting desirable results in the 40-yard dash (4.41) and broad jump (125 inches) while measuring in with the biggest hands (10.25 inches) of any receiver in Indianapolis. Moore is a pro-ready prospect with the capabilities necessary to make an instant impact at the next level.
Moore recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network regarding his overall combine experience, how he grades his overall performance, which teams he met with formally throughout the week, why he experienced a career-best season in 2021, his favorite route to run, and so much more.
JM: The NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books. What was your overall experience like in Indianapolis?
SM: It was a great experience. It allowed me an opportunity to live out one of my dreams. To go through that process was truly a blessing. It’s a long process, those first two days are a grind as you prepare to reach that third performance day. It gave me an opportunity to showcase my abilities on the biggest stage. It really was a dream come true.
JM: I thought you had a terrific day. You ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds and recorded an impressive 10-foot-5 broad jump as well. You looked extremely smooth and natural running routes and catching the ball during the on-field drills. How do you reflect on your overall performance?
SM: I was relatively pleased with my performance. I was able to check a couple boxes and address some questions teams may have had about me heading into the week. I also feel like I left some things on the table. I could have run my routes a little smoother or a bit more efficiently. I caught every pass and I feel like I was pretty smooth out there, but there’s always room for improvement.
JM: You also measured in with the biggest hands of any receiver at the combine. It qualified as a bit of a surprise given your size compared to some of the other prospects in attendance. Did that surprise you?
SM: I was definitely a little surprised. There were a lot of big dudes at that combine (laughs). I’ve definitely always recognized how big my hands are though. I was able to palm a basketball in the fifth grade. I always knew that my hands were a little bigger than everybody else’s (laughs).
JM: That’s hilarious. Taking every aspect of the combine into account, do you feel like you improved your draft stock in Indianapolis?
SM: I would think so, yes. I really feel like I checked a lot of boxes and answered a lot of questions at the combine. If NFL decision-makers had questions, I answered them. I addressed what I needed to address in Indianapolis.
JM: Which teams did you meet with formally, and how do you feel your meetings went overall?
SM: I had a formal meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles. I met with every other team informally. I honestly met with everybody. I feel like all of my meetings went well. I was able to relax and talk football throughout my meetings. That’s when I’m at my best. That’s my environment. I love football.
JM: What was the strangest question a team asked you at the combine?
SM: I’ve been asked that a lot but I actually didn’t get asked any strange questions this weekend. I kept waiting for something to catch me off guard but it never came. I had the regular, general questions (laughs). Teams were just trying to get to know me as a person. We were just talking football. I didn’t get anything out of the ordinary.
JM: You took a huge step forward in 2021. You recorded career-highs in receptions (95), receiving yards (1,292), and touchdowns (10). What changed for you?
SM: I was put in a position to succeed and to be the man in our offense. I got my feet wet as a true freshman and produced 51 catches for 802 yards. I took a backseat to D’Wayne Eskridge during my sophomore season. I learned so much from Eskridge. I watched him have his success as he became an extremely explosive player in our offense. I honestly wanted to duplicate that in 2021. I feel like that’s exactly what I did this past season. It was the result of me learning from Eskridge and biding my time. I waited my turn and made the most of my opportunities.
JM: The pandemic shortened your season in 2020 and unfortunately limited your opportunities to present yourself as an NFL draft prospect, as you took a backseat to Eskridge, as you said. I imagine that did something extra special to your motivation in 2021.
SM: It definitely did. It was a season of growth more than anything since we didn’t play that many games. It was all about growing. I soaked it all up and really took the time to learn and develop. My coaches and my teammates helped me throughout that process. We basically just loaded up and prepared for what was yet to come.
JM: On tape, I see a receiver with a quick and diverse release package. How do you describe the way you play the position?
SM: I’m an explosive player. I’m quick-twitched but I’m also very detail-oriented. Those are the words that come to mind when I think of myself as a player. That’s how I would describe my game personally.
JM: You’re also capable of creating yourself after the catch. What is it about your skill set that allows you to pick up chunks of yardage after the catch?
SM: Ever since I was a kid, my No. 1 priority has been to score every time I get the ball in my hands. Go score. I don’t want anybody to hit me (laughs). When I get the ball, I don’t want to get tackled. I don’t want to get touched. I’m trying to take that thing into the end zone.
JM: Do you have a favorite route to run?
SM: I love running all of my routes (laughs). If I had to pick a favorite, I would probably go with a slant. I like anything that’s an in-breaking route. It gives me an opportunity to create for myself after the catch.
JM: Some people are going to label you a “small-school prospect” throughout this process. It happened to Corey Davis and Eskridge, and it will happen to you as well. How do you typically respond to that?
SM: It’s definitely inevitable that some people are going to say that because it’s partially true. We didn’t play an SEC schedule at Western Michigan but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a bunch of high-level athletes and football players at the program. The difference between Western Michigan and an SEC school isn’t on the outside. The main differences are typically within the trenches and inside the box. Those programs attract 5-star offensive linemen and whatnot.
I feel like our athletes are just as good as anybody’s. I’m taking my receiver room in 2020 and 2021 over everybody in the country (laughs).
JM: That’s a great point. You played some defensive back as a two-way player in high school and you actually won Defensive Player of the Year in your conference. How did those experiences make you a better receiver?
SM: At that time, I was pouring all of my focus into playing defensive back. I was trying to become the best defensive player of all time (laughs). I was also the Offensive Player of the Year that season (laughs). I actually liked playing on the defensive side of the ball a bit more at that point in time. It meant a little bit more to me.
I like the ball, period. Whenever I can get the ball, that’s what I’m trying to do. I remember that year so fondly. Even when I was on defense, I felt like I always had the ball in my hands.
JM: I’ve really appreciated your time today. I feel like this conversation has perfectly captured why you’re one of the most exciting and dynamic receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft. In closing, what kind of impact is Skyy Moore going to make at the next level?
SM: I’m trying to make a huge impact by hitting the ground running. I want to be a legitimate contributor on a Super Bowl-winning team. I’m trying to get a ring in my first season.
Filed In
Related Articles
NFL Draft
Arik Gilbert Doesn’t Need Big Workload To Be A Top NFL Draft Pick
- Aug 22, 2022
NFL Draft
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Marino 1.0
- Aug 22, 2022
Written By