NORMAL - Transfer running backs have been quite good to the Illinois State football program in recent years.

ISU coach Denver Johnson hopes he has added another who could have a similar impact in Iowa State transfer Mitchell Moore.

"Mitchell is a young man who we were really close to in the recruiting process last year," Johnson said. "We are very excited to have him join our club. He is a tall, lean, prototypical tailback with great speed. He had a great high school career, and we think he fits the profile of the other transfers who have come in here and done extremely well."

ISU's leading rushers the past five seasons-Pierre Rembert (twice), Brian Thompson, ShaRon Edwards and Quincy Washington-started their college careers elsewhere. Willie Watts led the Redbirds in rushing three straight seasons from 1999-2001 and is the last to do so who spent all four seasons at ISU.

The 6-foot, 205-pound Moore redshirted last season at Iowa State, which had a coaching change in November when Dan McCarney stepped down after nine seasons and former Texas co-defensive coordinator Gene Chizik was hired.

Moore will have four years of eligibility at Illinois State. He is enrolled at ISU and will participate in spring drills.

Moore was a three-star recruit out of Gurnee Warren High School. He was ranked as the No. 2 running back and the No. 23 player overall in Illinois. He was timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash at a 2005 Nike camp.

As a senior at Warren, Moore rushed for 1,353 yards and 25 touchdowns to earn all-state honors. He had 1,725 yards and 26 TDs as a junior.

Moore will join a group that will try to replace Rembert, who rushed for a school-record 1,743 yards in 2006.

Moore was a high school teammate of current Redbird Chris Riley and was coached by former ISU assistant Dave Mohapp at Warren.

Moore is ISU's third mid-year transfer. He joins defensive end Wesley Williams and defensive back Chris Garrett.

Thompson also transferred from Iowa State.