UC hoopers Trevor Moore, Trevon Scott discuss football skills Scott Springer,


In one of his recent radio shows on 700 WLW-AM, University of Cincinnati basketball coach Mick Cronin mentioned the chatter that has gone on over the years between Trevor Moore and Trevon Scott. While both have played key roles on the hardwood this season for the Bearcats, both apparently attracted some football attention.

Thus, the friendly banter has been, who did it better?

Well, seeking to solve the puzzle, some investigative work has found the 6-foot-5 quarterback (Moore) and 6-8 receiver (Scott) both had decorated careers.

Moore played at Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston for three years before finishing up his prep career in Connecticut with a focus on basketball. Cornelius McFarland was his high school coach and also remembered him from second- and third-grade physical education classes. 

"I saw him play in middle school but didn't realize that was that quiet kid that I had taught in elementary," McFarland said. " it was when he showed up at in ninth grade that he reminded me of who he was. I could not believe how much this kid had grown."


More: UC coach Mick Cronin on hand to see Xenia's Samari Curtis score 2,000th point

As a 6-2 freshman, McFarland recognized the potential and Moore started for the Wildcats, leading them to the playoffs. It was known that basketball was his first love, but the potential was there with the pigskin.

"By the time his 11th-grade year rolled around he had college offers already on the table in football," McFarland said. "He had an arm that could sling the football 65 yards plus, not to mention he was an incredible receiver."

McFarland adds that Moore stayed in touch after he decided to focus on basketball and he's always had a positive attitude as most around the UC program have come to realize.

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"I've got Tre beat man!" Moore chirped when talking football. "He has to show me his Hudl account, but I'll show what I've got. I do whatever I can to get my team a W. The 'go route' was probably my best (pass). I'd show people what I could do, just throw the ball real long."

Moore jokes that he gets the itch watching football sometimes and that he received some offers, but his first love was always basketball.

Trevor Moore's high school highlights at Phillis Wheatley HS in Houston:

Trevon Scott was good enough at snaring footballs through the air in high school to be named a first team all-region wide receiver at McIntosh County Academy.  Of course, a 6-7 going on 6-8 receiver that can go up and get the ball is a luxury for anyone and Trevor Moore might have wished he had someone like Scott catching touchdowns.

"I was a decent football player," Scott said with a sly grin. "I was getting recruited to play football at certain big-time schools. I'm not going to be too cocky, but I'm going to speak the truth. I also got recruited to play football at UC. The UC wide receivers coach came down to my school. I can't remember his name, a tall due. He also said he was going to talk to Mick to see if they could split costs so I could play both. That's true man, that's facts!"

Scott was good enough to garner some football offers like Moore and jokes that he may suit up again. From the Southeastern Conference, Georgia and Missouri reportedly had interest.

"Just go get it," Scott said describing his pass-catching style. "I glad you saw the tape. I come from down South, a real football area. I'm going to have my Mom send in all of my football letters. I'm going to send them in and show you."

Brad Jackson, Brent Petrus, Antwan Peek, Angelo Craig and Connor Barwin are the most recent Bearcats who came from football and dabbled in basketball. However, the basketball to football transition has been less frequent. Bobby Brannen (late 90s) and Kareem Johnson (early 2000s) both gave it a shot for a day or so, but the only one to successfully pull it off in modern history was Rod Monroe. Monroe was an undersized power forward (1995-97) but had incredible strength and wingspan.  

After his basketball eligibility was up, he gave the 1997 football season a go. He picked a good one as Rick Minter's Bearcats played in their first bowl game (Humanitarian) in 47 years. Used mainly as a blocking tight end, his athletic skills on Pro Day helped him be a seventh-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys. He later was with the Atlanta Falcons for Super Bowl XXXII and spent time with the Jaguars, Dolphins and Browns. 

Trevon Scott high school highlights at McIntosh County Academy in Darien, Georgia

Realistically, Scott's eligibility would be up to play football after basketball since he utilized a redshirt year. He could play next season, but that would be extremely unlikely heading into his senior basketball season.

Moore could consider it after his senior season but hasn't played since his junior year of high school, so again it seems far-fetched. That and the days of (former AD) Bob Goin allowing teams to share players like he allowed Deion Sanders to play football, baseball and run track at Florida State are long gone.

It does make for some entertaining tall tales among tall young men though. Moore and Scott will likely have plenty of physical action Sunday as the Bearcats try to get back on track hosting Wichita State.