One of the Best Kept 2021 California QB Secrets: Interview with Dartanyon Moussiaux

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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Across the country there are numerous fantastic next level senior talents working hard to gain the attention of college football scouts, and Dartanyon Moussiaux is one of them. Moussiaux has all the tools of a four-star recruit standing 6-5, 205, is quick and mobile in the pocket, has a Sunday arm to deliver the pigskin, and crushes it against California competition. All he needs is the right program to lead at the collegiate level.

Moussiaux started jumping on the recruiting circuit after throwing for 2,143 yards with 20 touchdowns with one rushing score during the 2019 season, then the virus happened. The Capistrano Valley standout went triple-time in the offseason working on his skills seemingly going to every workout and camp possible competing against his peers to show he is among the best of the best. Starting off his senior season this spring, in the two games played thus far Moussiaux has thrown for 679 yards with six touchdowns with one rushing score posted on the board.

Making another visit to the RNG Lab, Moussiaux updates us on the early goings of his senior season.

*Click the link for the Dec. 2020 RNG interview with Dartanyon Moussiaux

Interview

Dart, you are lighting up California defenses starting the season off averaging 339.5 yards per game passing with three scores tossed in each outing. What’s clicking for you in the pocket delivering the goods at such a prolific rate?

I think it is just us understanding the offense. We understand the offense and week to week we know the game plan and how teams will play us. Last week, we knew our receivers would be bracketed. We knew that we that we’d be going to the wide side running more slants, more quick game, and some man concepts. That is why we did so well last week.

What offensive set are you running?

We are more of a Spread this year. We do some power under center.

Which routes are your receivers executing?

Same as last year, digs, posts, and quick slants. We pretty much run everything in our offense.

How are defenses trying to attack your offense?

Two ways, they try to bring the house and play man, which I think is not bright because we can execute quick slants. We have great receiver and we rotate them a lot. Also, our tight end is coming back. We will score on the blitzes or we can drop back and find holes in the zone.

A couple of games in against live action, which areas of your game are showing the biggest improvements?

My movement in the pocket. I know what to expect with our offense line, and our guys are stepping up. They are doing their job giving me a lot of time and holes to take off if no one is open, or they are buying me more time for a receiver to get open. Reading defenses has gotten a lot better for me. My understanding of the offense and defenses are coming together.

You’ve been through the proverbial fire this offseason battling through all the unknowns of playing or not playing, but have kept working at such a high level. The determination that you have shown, how has that work ethic effected how you lead the Cougars?

I feel like it has brought us together, not just me, but all the seniors. Our understanding has grown. We were working for something that was unsure. We all grew as people; which is really cool. For me as a leader, it was about being positive and keep pushing. Now that we have it, we were ready for the moment. I think that is why the offense has had a quick start with high passing numbers. Everyone was ready from the start. We were the most prepared against a lot of the teams we played.

The Cougars square off against El Toro (1-1) next. What are you expecting to see from their defense?

Against El Toro, we will see a lot of Cover 3; we’ll run seams, digs, hitches, and outs. There are a lot of things we will go for. Last week was man defense; it is cool that we can change our offense week to week. We will attack differently this week. We have Cover 3 beaters.

What goals have you set for the rest of the season?

We are 0-2 in pre-league, the next three will be for league champions. My goal is to keep scoring and to put better numbers up. The goal is to have a great next three weeks, after this it is pretty much over. Graduation will be a month away.

Let’s get into recruiting. Which programs are showing interest?

Central Michigan, Eastern Carolina, Utah State, and Lafayette – they have been in contact the last week or two.

You have the offer from Lake Erie, has any other program offered more recently?

New Mexico Highlands did in January.

Are there any visits coming up you may take?

I might go check out a few colleges, see the campus for the academics and reach out to the coaches afterwards.

D-I programs are still sleeping on me. I will go to a program and make them better. I know if I go to a program without an offer, I will still earn it even if I don’t get a scholarship going in.

Dart, thanks again for your time today. Wishing you and the team success in league play.

Thank you, Ryan.

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Photo credit: Moussiaux family; Dartanyon Moussiaux