Gaston Moore (American football)

Gaston Moore
No. 3  South Florida Bulls
PositionQuarterback
ClassGraduate Student
Personal information
Born (2002-02-05) February 5, 2002
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight212 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High schoolHilton Head Island (Hilton Head Island)
College
Stats at ESPN

Lucius Gaston Moore (born February 5, 2002) is an American college football quarterback who played for the South Florida Bulls, Tennessee Volunteers, and UCF Knights.[1][2]

Early life and high school career

Moore grew up in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and attended Hilton Head Island High School.[3] As a senior, he passed for 2,016 yards and 20 touchdowns with four interceptions, leading the Seahawks to a Bridge Bowl victory and a playoff appearance.[4]

College career

UCF (2020)

Moore began his college career at the University of Central Florida (UCF), redshirting the 2020 season under head coach Josh Heupel.[5]

Tennessee (2021–2024)

In 2021, Moore transferred to the University of Tennessee as a walk-on, following Heupel and offensive coordinator Alex Golesh.[6] He spent four seasons as a reserve quarterback.[7] In 2024, he was the primary backup to Nico Iamaleava, appearing in six games and completing 16 of 27 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.[8][9] Moore graduated with a bachelor's degree in supply chain management in May 2024.

South Florida (2025)

Moore entered the NCAA transfer portal in December 2024 and initially stepped away from football to begin a professional career in Charleston, South Carolina.[10][11] In July 2025, he transferred to USF to reunite with head coach Alex Golesh as a sixth-year senior.[12] He quickly earned the No. 2 quarterback position behind starter Byrum Brown.[13][14]

During the regular season, Moore appeared in seven games in relief, completing 14 of 20 passes for 54 yards and one touchdown.[15]

With Brown opting out, Moore made his first career start in the 2025 Cure Bowl against Old Dominion on December 17, 2025.[16][17] He completed 20 of 28 passes for 236 yards, one touchdown (a 31-yard pass), and two interceptions before exiting in the fourth quarter due to an apparent head injury after a hard hit. USF lost 24–10.[18][19][20]

Personal life

Moore's full name is Lucius Gaston Moore. He earned the nickname "Gas Pipe" from Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Gaston Moore - Football - USF Athletics". USF Athletics. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  2. ^ "Gaston Moore - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  3. ^ "Hilton Head All American Football Camp | Marcus Walsh On Location! - WHHI-TV". www.whhitv.com. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  4. ^ "Gaston Moore - Football - USF Athletics". USF Athletics.
  5. ^ "Gaston Moore - Football 2020 - UCF Athletics". UCF Athletics.
  6. ^ Harralson, Dan. "Gaston Moore returning to college football in 2025". Vols Wire. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  7. ^ "Breaking Down Gaston Moore's Performance in the Spring Game". Sports Illustrated. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  8. ^ "Gaston Moore - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics".
  9. ^ Writer, Alex Sarkis, Staff. "Who is Gaston Moore? A look at Nico Iamaleava's backup". The Daily Beacon. Retrieved 2025-12-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Rothman, Sam (Dec 26, 2024). "Gaston Moore, Holden Staes enter transfer portal". 6news.
  11. ^ Sparks, Adam. "Gaston Moore enters portal, leaving young Tennessee QBs behind Nico Iamaleava". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  12. ^ Sparks, Adam. "Former Tennessee quarterback Gaston Moore signs with USF, Alex Golesh | Reports". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  13. ^ "FEATURED BULL: Cure Bowl QB1 Gaston Moore - USF Athletics".
  14. ^ West, Rachel (2025-07-23). "Former Hilton Head Island quarterback reportedly transferring to USF". wtoc. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  15. ^ "Gaston Moore - Football - USF Athletics".
  16. ^ Smith, Craig (Dec 18, 2025). "Former Tennessee QB Gaston Moore suffered a scary injury during USF's bowl game that's been the center of controversy for years". atozsports.
  17. ^ West, Rachel (2025-07-23). "Former Hilton Head Island quarterback reportedly transferring to USF". wtoc. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  18. ^ "Bulls struggle, lose QB Moore to injury in 24-10 defeat to Old Dominion in Cure Bowl". WUSF. December 18, 2025.
  19. ^ "USF Football Falls to ODU in Cure Bowl - USF Athletics". December 17, 2025.
  20. ^ Press, Associated. "USF loses Cure Bowl to Old Dominion in battle of backup quarterbacks". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  21. ^ "USF QB 'Gas Pipe' Moore gets his first and last college start in Orlando's Cure Bowl". WUSF. December 16, 2025.