Moultrie ready to do his part in Kevin Steele's Miami defense: "It's a very deep line"
UAB DT transfer Antonio Moultrie was the second of three transfers on the interior of the defense to wind up picking Miami, with Jacob Lichtenstein first and Darrell Jackson joining the program after the prior two arrived in January.
The senior has an interesting background.
Last season Moultrie had 62 tackles, eight TFL and two sacks, earning honorable mention All-Conference USA honors. But that was while playing linebacker. He transitioned to that position after playing defensive tackle the year before – he dropped 20 pounds to make the position switch.
Now he’s back at tackle, of course. The 6-4, 265-pounder out of Pensacola, Fla. expects to have a role and is ready to help the team however he’s needed.
He says he chose to transfer to Miami “for better opportunities and “to play at a higher level.”
“Everything is intense, fast-paced (at UM),” he says. “Everything abut it is at a higher level, and that’s where I want to be.”
Before making the move to linebacker, in his prior two years as an interior lineman (he weighed as much as 290 pounds) Moultrie started 10 games and played in 17 others, totaling 55 tackles (2.5 TFL) with four pass breakups and an interception. He was a second team All-Conference USA selection in 2020 as a DT.
Moultrie says his football IQ has helped him transition quickly to Miami.
The biggest obstacle to him blending in?
“Coming back from my first surgery (that cost him the spring), getting back in the groove of things,” he said. “I was back at full strength the beginning of May, end of April.
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“I got my strength back, power back, weight back, everything I need back to be able to contribute to the team.”
Moultrie is one of five transfers on the defensive line. He says they’ve all been welcomed with open arms.
“You build that character, that bond, team bond you need on the field,” he says.
Moultrie says he “recently” has spent the most time lining up next to Jacob Lichtenstein. An emphasis for Kevin Steele is to get combinations of linemen that know each other well and perform at their best in conjunction with the guy next to them.
As for his goals this season? Moultrie says it’s all about the team.
And doing his part.
“It’s a very deep line,” he said. “We have a bunch of starters in every rotation. It’s just great having that much depth on the D line.
“We are all playing our role, are all starters, are all one. Just playing the role you’re in.”
