Elder statesman Jakai Moore taking on role of mentor for younger offensive linemen

Jakai Moore is in a league of his own in college football. He’s one of a few players who have started a game in each of the last five seasons, dating back to 2019. In that time, he’s appeared in 44 career games with 28 starts at four different positions for South Carolina.

With all that experience, Moore is also one of the oldest players on the team, as he’ll turn 24 years old in December. While he’s still young in terms of age, he’s the elder statesman of an offensive line with a lot of young and exciting pieces.

It’s not that he necessarily has to, but since he’s the “old guy” in the room, Moore shoulders the responsibility of being the mentor figure for the other O-linemen.

“I’m more of a lead by example type of person,” Moore said. “But also, I’m here to guide everybody through the way and talk to them through everything that they need to, even if they have questions for me through camp so far.”

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In what will be his sixth and final year of college, Moore is looking to put a bow on his career and go out on a high note as a Gamecock. On his to-do list for this season is making sure he does what he can to ensure his younger teammates are able to thrive after he leaves.

“If they ever mess up or anything, just helping them, guiding them on the right path. That’s really it,” he said. “I have a lot of experience playing the game, so my experience helps them, and I hope that they become successful players.”

As fall camp gets going, there’s a lot of optimism about the O-line this season after such a rough year in 2023. Between injuries and not getting enough push up front, it made South Carolina’s offense less effective in a 5-7 season.

Now a year removed from then, there are a lot of new players in the room, along with some returning veterans, like Moore. Of those fresh faces is Josiah Thompson, who is one of only two high school O-linemen to ever win South Carolina’s Mr. Football.

The expectations are high for the freshman, as he will be competing for starting duties at left tackle. Moore likes the way in which he “puts his head down and works” without signs of complaining.

“If he needs to fix something, he fixes his footwork and he gets better at it the next day. That’s all you can really ask for,” Moore said. “As long as he keeps improving, he’s going to be the best player that he can possibly be.”

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The same can be said for another player who had a lot of buzz coming out of high school. The only difference is that Markee Anderson joined the program in 2023 but missed the season with a knee injury. But now, he’s back out in practice and looks to earn a role this year.

“Markee looking good, man,” Moore said. “Granted, the injury that happened to him last year that sat him out for the season, I was expecting him to definitely get some snaps last year. But he’s made such an impact and just getting himself right. He’s doing all the right things to become successful as a player at South Carolina, offensive lineman at South Carolina.”

Moore sees how the O-linemen work better than anyone, with a front row seat in practice every day. And while he’s also focusing on getting himself ready for the season, he can’t help but notice how the young players work. That’s something he certainly appreciates, knowing South Carolina is in good hands up front after he leaves.

“They come here, they’re ready to compete. Them boys, they’re here to play. That’s one thing that I love, man. Coach (Lonnie) Teasley did a good job of bringing in the best recruits that he possibly could and just talking to the right people,” he said.

“These boys, they’re my boys, man. Like I love them boys and I’ll do anything for them. So it’s just developing that connection, that friendship, and I can’t ask for nothing else and just helping them develop along as their journey continues.”

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