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Former Gator Ron Moten describes ‘emotional’ return to Florida as son RJ commits

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•05/03/23•

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New Florida safety RJ Moten with his father, former Gators linebacker Ron Moten. (Zach Abolverdi/On3)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A week removed from entering the transfer portal, former Michigan safety RJ Moten committed to the Gators on Monday night during his official visit to Florida. It marked the first time in Gainesville for the UF legacy.

For Moten, the highlight of his trip was watching his father, former Florida linebacker Ron Moten (1982-86), back in his element.

“The highlight was just seeing him,” Moten told Gators Online, pointing to his dad. “Just him talk about, ‘Oh, this was here when I was there. That was here when I was there.’ That was the best part.”

Moten played for the Gators in the mid-80s and was a member of back-to-back 9-1-1 teams, including the 1984 squad that won the school’s first SEC championship (later vacated).

 In 1987, Moten was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent five years in the league before knee injuries derailed his NFL career in 1991.

Joining his son on the official visit, Moten was back at UF for the first time since 1986. Blown away by all the changes on campus, it was an emotional return for him.

“I was speechless. I really am. I’m speechless, man,” Moten told Gators Online. “This was emotional, to be quite honest with you. Just to come back on campus. It’s been 37 years, you know, 1986 was when I last played here. Everything obviously is different. I didn’t recognize the locker room.

“The campus has grown, the facilities are top notch. The academic facility, the new athletic facility is just incredible, man. Just incredible. The University has totally changed obviously over 37 years.”

Although Moten met Florida coach Billy Napier for the first time this week, he had been exposed to his program in March. Moten, who retired in 2018 as the chief of detectives in Camden County, NJ, now works at Madison Square Garden doing team security and threat management.

The GatorMade program went to New York City during spring break and made 12 corporate visits, including to MSG. Moten spent time with 15 Florida football players and spoke to the group about his life experiences and transitions.

Six weeks later, Moten was in Gainesville with his son to see the full scope of Napier’s football program and organization.

“Obviously Coach Napier, his reputation speaks for itself,” Moten said. “When RJ told me about this trip, I researched the coaching staff and saw that Corey Raymond was the secondary coach. And I immediately called RJ and told him, ‘You need to take a look at Coach Raymond’s background.’

“But the biggest thing was trying to find the right fit for RJ. He’s still going to have to earn his keep obviously, and that’s the conversation we had with Coach Napier. But the experience to not only run out on Florida Field, but to earn his degree from this great University, it’s just incredible.”

Moten also has a daughter who plays lacrosse at Temple and attends her games. But he doesn’t know how much longer he’ll work at Madison Square Garden, especially with his son transferring to Florida.

Moten eventually plans to move to the Orlando area or back to his hometown of Clearwater, Florida. He looks forward to making the drive up to Gainesville on Saturdays.

“It’s been 37 years since I was at a game,” Moten said. “To have your son running out of the South End Zone in that stadium, it’s gonna be emotional. Very emotional.”

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