Stripe Hype Interview: UCONN Linebacker Sio Moore

Sep 8, 2012; East Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies linebacker Sio

Moore (3) reacts after sacking North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Mike Glennon (8) during the first half at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

One of the Bengals biggest needs is an outside linebacker that can play in coverage as well as play the run. Sio Moore looks to be that type of player. He is a linebacker who while being a disciplined and staying in his gap, taking care of his responsibilities, also has the ability to run with tight ends and backs down the field. He also has shown the ability to rush the quarterback and make the big play there. In 2012 he racked up 72 tackles, with 15.5 for a loss and 8 sacks. He also had 11 passes defensed. In his career at UCONN he played in 41 games, getting 274 total tackles, 44 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 21 passes defensed. I would again like to think Sio for taking the time to do this interview with me.

BM: Well first off I want to say thanks for taking the time to do this.

"No problem."

BM: So you grew up in Connecticut before moving to North Carolina in high school. What was your favorite team growing up?

"I started watching football when I was about 10 years old, which was in 2000. I didn’t know what was going on because at the time I wasn’t big on football, but I always watched Ravens games and I loved watching Ray Lewis. Ever since then I was a Ravens fan. I was drawn to the energy or Lewis and really fascinated by how those boys played D."

BM: So even as a kid you were drawn to the linebacker position?

"I was man. I just thought he was amazing man. It was what caught my eye. As I started watching and playing more, I got more and more into it. He became one of my heroes. Then I started watching a bunch of great backers."

BM: Is there a linebacker in the NFL that you model your game after? Or that you would compare yourself too?

"I’d say a guy that I really like right now is Daryl Washington with the Arizona Cardinals. Fast, can play straight backer, knack to get to the ball and he’s a hell of an athlete. Gets to the QB, all around type guy."