Former Florida football LB RJ Moten earns NFL rookie minicamp invitation from Philadelphia
Former Florida football LB RJ Moten earns NFL rookie minicamp invitation from Philadelphia
Florida football's senior linebacker did not hear his name called during the 2025 NFL draft, but RJ Moten still might make it into the professional ranks, thanks to an invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp.
Moten is a legacy with the Gators through his dad, Ron Moten Sr., who played for the Gators from 1982-1986. Coincidentally — or not! — the elder was drafted in the sixth round by the same Eagles franchise, albeit almost 40 years ago. The younger Moten had already worked out with Philly during their local pro day before the draft.
However, RJ was not always a linebacker. In fact, he arrived in Gainesville listed at safety following his first two collegiate seasons with the Michigan Wolverines. Then last season, he switched from the defensive backfield on the advice of defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong.
"I have always wanted to play linebacker, actually," Moten said last October. "I think I knew going into the next level, I was definitely going to move to linebacker, but it was just one day where coach Armstrong was, like, 'You're getting too big.' I think it was a time in the winter, I was, like, 230 at one point. He was, like, 'Okay, we're not going to put you in the post anymore in the SEC.' It was like, 'How do you feel about moving to linebacker?'
"I think that was just God's way of telling me, 'Look, this is your opportunity. Just go run with it.'"
At that point, the paths of the father and son merged. Hopefully, the story plays out the same and the younger Moten makes it to the professional gridiron.
RJ Moten's career stats with Florida football
After transferring from Michigan after the 2022 season, Moten played in 18 games for the Gators, totalling 31 tackles (14 solo) — which includes four tackles for a loss and a half-sack — along with a pass defender, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
He also made the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll for 2023-24, as well as the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, en route to his bachelor's degree in sociology, which he completed in the fall term of 2024.
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