David Moore commits to SMU

Three-star Milton (Ga.) quarterback David Moore committed to SMU on Thursday, the Mustangs' third commit of 2016.

Moore's relationship with new SMU head coach Chad Morris and offensive coordinator Joe Craddock, dating back to their days coaching at Clemson, played a big role in his decision to pony up.

"They've known me since before I had any offers," Moore told the HillTopics. "They were going to offer at Clemson but after they left coach Craddock always continued to hit me up. Then I went to visit SMU and they offered. It was a perfect day. I'm from Dallas so I already know most of the players in the new class. It should be an easy transition."

Moore chose SMU over the rest of his top five, which included Houston, Utah, Wake Forest, and Colorado State. The dual-threat quarterback also held offers from Illinois, Oregon State, Temple and Marshall, among others.

Moore visited SMU two weeks ago and felt right at home in every aspect of his unofficial visit.

"The whole day really, I could really see myself be a part of the team," Moore said. "I took a tour of campus and then I met with coach Morris and coach Craddock after for hour and a half. We talked about my role and about leaving a mark on the university. They think I can be like (Robert Griffin III) was to Baylor."

"It definitely means a lot. They believe in me. That's a big deal to have coaches that believe in you."

The visit did not impress only Moore; it also impressed his mother.

"My mom loved it. It was her favorite school so when I told her I was going to choose SMU she was all for it," Moore said with a laugh.

David Moore received his SMU offer while visiting the school

So incredibly excited to receive an offer from my family down in Dallas at SMU ! ✌️🏈 #PonyUp #PonyUpTempo #SFG pic.twitter.com/JbOuuBGem4— David Moore (@David_Moore5) April 11, 2015

Though Moore just made his announcement on Thursday he called SMU on Tuesday to inform the coaches of his pledge.

"I spoke with coach Craddock. He was extremely excited. He said he was surprised and really pumped," Moore said.

The quarterback planned to speak with Morris about the commitment on Thursday.

Though he is originally from Dallas, Moore is the first commit to SMU who will graduate from outside the state of Texas since Morris took over as head coach.

"That's a big deal," Moore said. "They were telling me how big it was they were bringing me in from out of state. They want me to help in recruiting too, obviously in Texas but around Georgia as well."

Two specific recruits he named were three-star 2016 Peachtree Ridge (Ga.) running back Malik Staples and 2017 Peachtree Ridge athlete Connor Haywood as targets Moore had in mind.

Moore plans to study business at SMU and met with an academic advisor from the Cox School of Business while on his visit to the Hilltop.

"They talked about how all freshman year they'll be on top of me making sure I take all my core classes."

Moore is shutting down his recruitment for now but said one or two schools could persuade him to reconsider his options.

For now Moore continues to prepare for his senior season. These preparations will include attending camp at SMU this summer so he can get a taste of working on the field with Morris and Craddock. Moore plans to visit the Hilltop "three or four times" this summer.