The first bowl win in 55 years for Vanderbilt came with bittersweet news afterwards.

Junior cornerback D.J. Moore announced that he will forgo his senior season and declare for the National Football League draft. Moore has been a do-everything player for Vanderbilt during his career at Vanderbilt. Moore, who comes from Spartanburg, S.C., did not intrigue in-state schools Clemson or South Carolina while in high school; Vanderbilt, however, was thrilled to get the athlete. Starting his career as a true freshman in 2006 at corner and punt returner, Moore struggled in his first year going up against some of the great wide receivers in the Southeastern Conference.

Nevertheless, Moore was named to the All-SEC freshman team by the coaches. During his sophomore season, Moore became one of the best players on Vanderbilt and in the SEC playing both offense and defense and being named to First Team All-SEC by The Associated Press. Moore would finish the 2007 season with six interceptions, tied for most in the SEC and most at Vanderbilt since 1982. This season Moore was so dynamic the coaches used him at a kick returner, starting cornerback, wide receiver and even quarterback on certain plays. He was also named First Team All-American by Rivals.com. and Second Team All-American by the Associated Press.

Looking back on Moore's career, there were two performances that stood out.  First, during his sophomore season, Moore led the Commodores to a victory at No. 6 South Carolina, his hometown team that did not want him back in high school. In that game, Moore recorded eight total tackles and two interceptions and was later named National Defensive Player of the Week. The second performance was this season at Kentucky where Moore almost singlehandedly led the Commodores to its sixth victory and bowl eligibility, providing offensive production to a struggling offense with two touchdown catches to go along with three and a half tackles and two interceptions, the second of which sealed the game and a bowl game for the Commodores. Moore was named National Defensive Player of the Week after this performance as well.

His play even drew the praise of arch-rivals. Tennessee's star safety Eric Berry, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, said he had great respect for Moore.

"He makes a lot of plays and is very consistent," Berry said. "He plays with a lot of passion."

Moore will be greatly missed because of all that he has done on and off the field for Vanderbilt. One has to look no further than the bowl game against Boston College to see what kind of player Moore is. After injuring his ankle breaking up a pass in the second quarter, Moore continued to fight through the pain to help the Commodores win its first bowl game in 55 years before having to be pulled from the game by the coaches.

Moore is projected by most to be a first or second round pick in the upcoming draft, so his decision to leave school early seems like the right one for him and his family. Currently, Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. has Moore going 23rd overall to the Minnesota Vikings in the first round. If Moore was drafted in the first round, he would become the third Commodore drafted in the first round since the 2006 draft when Jay Cutler was picked by the Denver Broncos. Last year, the Chicago Bears picked offensive lineman Chris Williams in the first round.

Coach Bobby Johnson said it best after the bowl win when asked what he thought of Moore's decision.

"I'm for D.J," Johnson said. "I want what's best for him and I think everybody in our program is for D.J. I really hope it works out for him. I think that he's a fantastic football player."