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Moffitt's Long Journey Almost Complete

Cliff McBride/Tribune photo

Defensive leader Ben Moffitt has accomplished all he's set out to do and more.

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2007

Updated: 12/30/2007 12:11 am

EL PASO, Texas - Monday, Ben Moffitt will make his 43rd - and final - start at linebacker for the University of South Florida.

To say Moffitt traveled a long way to get to this point would be a huge understatement. How about more than 100,000 miles in daily 110-mile round trip chunks, driving from his home in South Sumter to USF's campus.

He's on his third car in five years. "I put up a lot of miles," Moffitt said. "I don't even know how many."

Nothing Moffitt has accomplished - first-team All-Big East and third-team All-American honors this year - has surprised USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham.

"Ben reminds me of an old alligator," Burnham said. "When an alligator gets some meat and sets his jaws. When he makes up his mind, he's going to accomplish his goals, he will die trying to accomplish that goal. No matter what that is: shooting marbles, playing football, graduating from college, taking care of his family. He's done whatever he's had to do."

Although Moffitt played in the shadow of future NFL linebacker Stephen Nicholas last season, Moffitt still was always the unquestioned defensive leader.

"For the last two years, Ben is the guy that has really held this thing together," Burnham said. "He just won't let the kids give in. He keeps them going, no matter how bad it gets, how tired they get. He's the glue. Ben has whatever it is about him that keeps a team going. He just won't give in. He's so damn tough."

Tough doesn't begin to describe Moffitt, who has a son, Trevor, and daughter, Rylan, with wife Shauna.

To attend winter workouts at USF, sometimes he would have to leave his South Sumter home as early as 3:30 a.m. At the latest, he was headed to USF by 7 a.m. and after attending classes, football practice and film sessions, he might not return home until 10 p.m.

"Five years ago when Ben signed with us, he decided he would get his degree, be the best football player he could be - even if that meant leaving at 4 in the morning for 5 a.m. workouts, staying late and taking care of what he had to at home," Burnham said.

Junior linebacker Brouce Mompremier said he's "amazed" at what Moffitt has accomplished.

"It's more than I would do," Mompremier said. "It's way too much for me to do. With him being 22 years old, you're young with responsibilities. But he has the responsibilities of an older man."

Moffitt knows no other way.

"It's extremely hard, but you find a way to do it," Moffitt said. "It's been a long road the last five years.

"I came here to help the program take it to where it's at. We're stepping up a notch every year. Getting this opportunity to play in a third consecutive bowl is second to none."

Besides Moffitt's leadership, his teammates also look forward to his weekly pregame talks.

"He's a great leader, a humble guy, a great motivational speaker," USF sophomore defensive end George Selvie said. "When he comes up there, everyone stops to listen to him because you know he has something good to say."

Projected as a mid-round NFL draft pick, Moffitt said he's realizing his last USF game is almost here.

"I remember our bowl game last year and seeing seniors Stephen Nicholas and Pat St. Louis," Moffitt said. "I remember being teary eyed and they were teary eyed.

"That's a memory I won't ever forget. I know that's what I'm fixing to go through, guys I'm leaving behind. It's going to be crazy."

Moffitt will be missed, USF coach Jim Leavitt said.

"He leads by example, comes to practice and lays it out there every day," Leavitt said. "He means a lot. He's hard to replace."

Nearly impossible, Burnham said.

"I don't want to say it in a way that will offend Mike Jenkins or Trae Williams or anyone else, but Ben's the guy we're going to miss the most next year," Burnham said. "I think that's why we didn't drop off as much this year because we had him."

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com.

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