DL trades Tigers for Terriers

Moses McCray plans to leave Middleton for district rival Hillsborough.

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published June 6, 2007

TAMPA - Moses McCray, a heavily recruited defensive lineman and Florida State commitment, intends to transfer from Middleton to Hillsborough, Middleton coach Harry Hubbard said Tuesday. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound senior had started for the Middleton varsity since ninth grade.

"I guess he and his mother would really have to tell you why (he's transferring), " Hubbard said. "It was nothing against the program. It's something he and his mother wanted to do, which was a total surprise to me."

Hubbard said he called McCray on Friday upon hearing transfer rumors, and McCray confirmed he was leaving for the Tigers' Class 4A, District 11 rival. Hubbard hopes McCray will have a change of heart, but didn't seem optimistic.

"My thing is, he's been with us three years, " Hubbard said. "I feel like he should have come to me. I don't think it's him. I think it's an outside force."

McCray is considered one of the state's top talents. In addition to Florida State, he has scholarship offers from schools such as Florida, South Carolina and South Florida.

Efforts to reach McCray on Tuesday were unsuccessful. A call to Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia was not immediately returned.

[Last modified June 5, 2007, 23:50:22]