Rondale Moore is as exciting a player as Purdue football has ever had. Small, tough, and incomprehensibly quick, Moore has been a bright light in a long dim era for Boilermakers football that seems to be headed finally in the right direction under head coach Jeff Brohm.

But will Moore ever see the football field again in West Lafayette or wearing the Purdue Black and Gold?

According to Tom Dienhart, who covers the Boilers for GoldandBlack.com, Brohm is holding the Moore card close to his vest. First, the head coach gave no reason for Moore’s not playing against the University of Iowa, a game he had hinted Moore might return for. 

Later, when Brohm was asked if Moore would return this Saturday, he responded cryptically, stating he was “always hopeful” Moore would play and that, when he was ready, he would be back. 

If Moore never plays again he will be remembered always for his electric freshman campaign, where over 13 games he caught 114 passes for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added two more rushing scores and finished with 1,471 total yards, good for 11-yards every time he touched the football, and 14 touchdowns. He was a devastating offensive weapon. 

Moore will be remembered best for that magical October night in 2018 when he went berserk under the West Lafayette lights on 2nd ranked Ohio State. The Boilermakers had made a point of honoring Tyler Trent, a superfan and student suffering from a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, a battle he fought with personal bravery and dignity, sending a message that Trent’s spirit was infusing the team.

In front of a sellout crowd on national television, the Boilermakers did not let Trent down, particularly Moore, who scorched the Buckeyes, scoring two touchdowns, including a spectacular 43-yarder that demoralized Ohio State on the way to a 49-20 blowout win. Moore finished the night with 12 catches for 170 yards. 

Now the Boilers are left to wonder if they will ever see him again.