When it comes to love of the game, nobody has more of it than Rahim Moore.

From his flag football days at the Hollywood Recreation Center, to his time in Baldwin Hills Pop Warner, to a storied prep career at Dorsey High School to today, that love has been behind the drive to be the best for UCLA’s All-American junior free safety.

“I feel reborn again when I play football,” Moore said during Pac-10 football media day at the Rose Bowl. “I can’t see myself doing anything else. It’s my restoration.”

The source of that love can be found close to home.

“I get it from my mother seeing what she went through growing up.”

There is also a deep love for his high school alma mater.

“If it wasn’t for the Dorsey coaches coaching me up, there’s no telling where I’d be today,” he said of Dons’ head coach Paul Knox and his staff. “The work and dedication I had at Dorsey, I have now.”

Pointing to the green bands around his wrist, “I wear these because they remind me of Dorsey. I wear them for motivation. I bleed green.”

It’s all paid off in a work ethic that has seen the 6-foot-1, 196-pounder develop into one of college football’s best at his position.

“In my opinion, Rahim is the best free safety in the nation and he is also the hardest-working player on our team,” UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. “His upside is unbelievable.”

A CollegeFootballNews.com honorable mention Freshman All-American in 2008 and a consensus All-American in 2009, Moore enters 2010 a preseason All-American and on the watch lists for the Thorpe, Lott, Nagurski and Walter Camp Football Foundation player of the year awards.

He’s already coming off an impressive season, having led the nation with 10 interceptions, a total one shy of the Carlton Gray’s 1991 school record and the most by a player in the Football Bowl Subdivision since 2003.

His three interceptions against San Diego State in the season opener tied a school record and his career total of 13 is tied for seventh all-time among Bruins.

What he’s doing now is just a carryover from his days at Dorsey when he set a school record with 23 career interceptions, earned All-City honors three times and was the nation’s No. 2 ranked safety by scout.com as a senior.

One might think the interception opportunities would dry up as his reputation grew.

But Moore doesn’t find that a hindrance at all. He just keeps finding ways to step in front of passes intended for others.

“You have to love the ball and put yourself in position to get to the ball,” he said. “You can always find a way. It’s a matter of watching a lot of film and working hard. If you don’t do that you don’t have a chance to chase greatness. If you do work hard, greatness will chase you.”

He gives credit to the rest of the defense and defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough.

“The guys up front and our defensive coordinator put us in that position to get to the ball,” he said.

Has he set an interceptions goal for 2010?

“Just to get as many as I can,” he said. “You have to set goals for yourself. That’s why you play.”

But his primary goals are team-oriented.

After going through 4-8 and 7-6 marks his first two seasons at UCLA, Moore would prefer to see win totals increase this year.

“I’d rather have 10 wins than 10 interceptions,” he said. “This year is not about me, it’s about the team. This is our chance to show ourselves on the biggest stage against great teams like Kansas State, Texas and Houston.”

Moore and the rest of the Bruin secondary will be tested by some of the nation’s best quarterbacks, starting with Stanford’s Andrew Luck Sept. 11, Houston’s Case Keenum Sept. 18, Arizona’s Nick Foles Oct. 30, Washington’s Jake Locker Nov. 18 and USC’s Matt Barkley Dec. 4.

“We are looking forward to it,” he said. “What I have been doing is preparing our secondary as much as I can and be prepared to face those offenses to help our team win. I am looking forward it. When the time comes, may the best man win.”

Defense and a kicking game led by All-American Kai Forbath should again be strengths of the team. The question mark is an offense that struggled much of last year.

Moore expects good things from a unit that returns a lot of key components, starting with quarterback Kevin Prince.

“The offense is looking a lot better,” he said. “It’s the best since I’ve been here. I like the way the receivers are catching the ball and Kevin Prince is looking good.”

Sometimes Moore finds his current status mind-boggling.

“When I started playing flag football in 1998, I never thought I’d be in this position,” he said. “It’s crazy, but it feels good.”