COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- After showing flashes of his talent last year, Terps sophomore wide receiver D.J. Moore is emerging as Maryland’s top pass catcher early in the 2016 season.

“Ya’ll are in for a rude awakening,” said Maryland senior cornerback Alvin Hill, who platoons with fellow starting corner JC Jackson to cover Moore in practice. “I think [Moore] is going to be a big-time guy this season.”

TERPS INSIDER message board | SHOP NOW: DEALS on TERPS apparel | LIKE us on FACEBOOK

The second-year wideout from Philadelphia is already off to an impressive start this season by hauling in 10 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns in the Terps’ first two games.

“Now that I set the bar that high, I’m going to try to work for it every game,” Moore said.

The chemistry between the 5-foot-11, 215-pound Moore and his quarterback this season has been evident as he has quickly emerged as Perry Hills’ favorite target. Moore credits his connection on the field with Hills to the work that he and Maryland’s signal caller put in together this offseason.

“[Hills and I] have been working since winter all the way up until now on routes and the timing of them and knowing how he’s going to throw the ball,” Moore said. “So over time, it just became easier for us to have a connection. We just worked on everything so that we can be on the same page all of the time.”

More from TSR: WATCH DC ANDY BUH ADDRESS MEDIA AHEAD OF UCF | WATCH OC WALT BELL ADDRESS MEDIA AHEAD OF UCF

While Moore has certainly improved many areas of his game between his freshman and sophomore seasons, Terps offensive coordinator Walt Bell would still like to see his No. 1 wideout work on his vocal leadership skills.

“He’s a very level-headed kid,” Bell said of Moore. “I’ll tell you the same thing I tell him: there’s times in his life where I’d like to see a little more of him getting out of his comfort zone in terms of his leadership skills. He’s a guy who has plenty of time left and will be looked at for leadership. Personally, day in and day out on the practice field, I’d like to see that growth. I’d like to see him embrace that role.”

Moore said it has never been in his nature to talk much and that he’s more of a lead by example type of person. But he understands what Bell is looking for from him and has vowed to work on becoming more vociferous for his team.

“I could speak up some more but that’s really not my thing,” Moore said. “ I’m more of an action person. So speaking up is a thing that I’m going to have to accomplish throughout my years here.”

One of Moore’s teammates that communicates with him frequently despite the receiver’s quiet demeanor is his roommate and Terps starting safety Darnell Savage Jr. Savage grew up not too far from Moore in nearby Newark, Del., and said the two have known each other since before either of them arrived in College Park.

“Me and DJ are really close,” Savage said. “He’s like my best friend. But he’s humble and he’s focused and DJ is going to do the best he can to help the team win, whether that be blocking, catching or anything.”

One of Moore’s latest duties for the Terps included passing the ball to Hills in Maryland’s 41-14 win over Florida International last week.

Moore received the ball in the backfield on a double reverse and delivered a 21-yard strike to Hills for a Maryland first down against the Panthers. Based on the outcome of the gadget play in practice, Moore admitted that he wasn’t sure if it was going to work, but he’s happy that he was able to execute when it mattered most.

“We practiced it like five times and every time it would be short and almost close to the ground,” Moore said. “So in the game I was like, ‘I hope I don’t mess this up.’ I just tried to put it on Perry’s body and that’s what I did.”

Moore is certainly a player with many talents and if he continues to improve his skills at his current rate he should be a very fun player to watch at Maryland for the rest of his college career.

An improved secondary in College Park is one factor that has helped Moore steadily elevate his game. Having to cover him in practice regularly, Hill is very familiar with the growth in Moore’s game and knows he will not be easy for other defensive backs to cover moving forward.

“Me and DJ have had some battles, especially over camp,” Hill said. “It’s like a little rivalry. When we line up, we know it’s time to go. His releases off the line are better than last year and he’s an explosive guy. I don’t allow a lot of separation but if he can get a little bit of separation on other guys I know it’s over for them.”