Lovie Smith has been around football at all levels for a really long time. He’s probably a pretty good evaluator of talent. And according to the Illinois head coach, Purdue receiver Rondale Moore is as talented as anyone he’s seen.

On Monday, Smith met with the media for his weekly press conference to talk about the Illini’s upcoming battle against Purdue. Moore was one of the primary topics of conversation.

It’s clear that Smith understands just how dangerous the true freshman is for Purdue.

“A receiver like Rondale Moore, he poses a lot of problems to any defense,” Smith said. “I know he’s a freshman, a true freshman, but you just look at what he’s done. Evaluating the player, he’s as good as — pretty early to start talking about him in this way — but he’s as impressive as anyone I’ve seen in a while, especially a young player like that.”

Through five games this season, Moore has caught 41 passes for 457 yards and four touchdowns. He currently leads the B1G in all-purpose yards with 895. He’s also a two-time B1G Freshman of the Week.

Moore has also played a huge role in the Boilermakers’ two-game winning streak, accounting for 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns in wins over Boston College and Nebraska.

“Tough matchup,” Smith reiterated. “Though matchup carrying the ball. They find ways to get him the ball running on the jet sweep and different things like that. But just as a matchup man-to-man, he can do it all. Outstanding player.”

Illinois will need another stellar defensive effort to slow down the Purdue star receiver.