RALEIGH, N.C. – After establishing himself as one of the top defenders in school history, North Carolina Central University safety C.J. Moore signed a contract to join the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on Saturday in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina.
 
Moore roamed the secondary and excelled on special teams at NCCU from 2011-15, appearing in 47 games, including 33 as a starter. He finished with 301 tackles to rank third on the school's career tackles list, while adding 21.0 tackles for a loss, 23 passes defended (18 pass break-ups, 5 interceptions), five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, three blocked kicks and four touchdowns.
 
"When God turns a 0% chance into a 100% opportunity," Moore wrote when announcing his contract signing on social media. "This is just the beginning, not the end by a long shot. Thanks to all the people that have supported me on this journey."
 
As a redshirt-senior in 2015, he earned First Team All-MEAC honors as the third-leading tackler in the conference with 100 takedowns, and was announced to the BOXTOROW (HBCU) All-America Team, the HBCU Gameday FCS All-American Team and the Black College Sports Page "Baad Team" of Black College All-Americans (First Team). Moore was also voted Team MVP after helping to lead the Eagles to a second straight MEAC championship.
 
In addition to his team-high 100 tackles (56 solo), Moore's final college campaign included 11.5 stops for a loss and 10 passes defended (two interceptions and eight pass break-ups) to place fourth in the league, as well as two blocked punts, recovering one in the end zone for a touchdown.
 
A graduate of Southeast Raleigh High School, Moore graduated from NCCU on May 14 with a bachelor's degree in recreation administration with a concentration in sports management and a minor in business.
 
Moore leaves Tuesday for Canada to participate in the Alouettes training camp starting May 29. Montreal will play two preseason games – at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 8 and versus the Toronto Argonauts on June 17 – before opening the regular season on June 24 at Winnipeg.