Rarely in this day and age will you find someone in their early-20s that has a grasp of where they have been and where they are going in terms of life and their career. And rare would be a good adjective to describe
. Mosely is a 6'3, 290 pound, well-spoken, senior offensive lineman majoring in Sport Management at Johnson C. Smith University. He started all 11 games for the Golden Bulls football program at the left tackle position his junior season in 2011 and then moved to left guard his senior season to start all 10 games in 2012. Behind the protection of Mosely, the JCSU offense has totaled nearly 3,900 yards both seasons and had their first 1,000-yard rusher since 1991 this past season. With those statistics and Mosely's athletic prowess; he has begun to generate some serious interest on NFL draft boards.
Mosely was named Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Offensive Lineman of the Week after JCSU's 28-21, week four victory over Virginia State University. He was the only Golden Bull offensive lineman selected to participate in the 2012 FCS Senior Bowl held December 15th in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as well as accepting an invitation to participate in the South Carolina College All-Star Bowl on March 23rd. In addition, he will potentially go through drills at the NFL Pro Days held March 18th at Wake Forest University and/or March 28th at Coastal Carolina University.
With the date for the offensive lineman workout in the NFL Draft Combine approaching on February 23rd and then the 2013 NFL Draft scheduled for April 25-27, the possibility of Mosely being selected is becoming more conceivable.
“I've had the dream to be in the NFL since I was seven year old,” said Mosely. “I don't want to sound arrogant in anyway, but I feel like the league is waiting for me. My goal is to be the best at what I do and I don't take anything for granted. I respect the game, I understand the importance of preparation, I'm familiar with the history of the league, and I play with a viciousness that is necessary to be a successful lineman.”
Mosely not only has an appreciation of the NFL's history, but he also has the pedigree. His father Morris McKie was drafted in the 13th round of the 1975 Draft by the Washington Redskins out of North Carolina A&T University. McKie spent four seasons in the league before joining the military and then eventually starting his own catering business. Mosely credits his father for teaching him to appreciate those who came before him.
“Throughout my playing career in high school and college, I've worn three numbers on the field,” mentioned Mosely. “I've worn No. 75 in respect to Jonathan Ogden, I've worn No. 77 in respect to Willie Roaf, and I've worn No. 78 in honor of Jackie Slater.”
That's an impressive trio of NFL greats to pay homage to. All three of the aforementioned players are Pro Football Hall of Famers at the offensive tackle position. And while Roaf and Ogden both played in the league from the early-mid 90s until the mid-2000s; Slater was drafted in 1976 and finished his career when Mosely was just five years old. And unless you have really paid attention to the elite offensive lineman in the NFL, those would not be household names.
Golden Bull Draftees
The football program at Johnson C. Smith University is in the process of reestablishing its reputation. This year, JCSU reached their second consecutive winning season for the first time since 1972-73. The team also achieved a four-game winning streak for the first time since 1996. The program has been around since 1897 and won its only CIAA championship in 1969. From 1974 until 2010, JCSU had an overall win-loss record of 110-272-3; which only includes five winning seasons, five one-win seasons, and four winless seasons.
The most notable football player in school history is Pettis Norman. Norman was drafted in the 16th round of the 1962 AFL Draft by the Dallas Texans, but instead opted to play for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. He spent 12 seasons in the NFL and started for the Cowboys at tight end in Super Bowl V against the Baltimore Colts. The university's annual award for the most outstanding student-athlete is named after Norman.
Reggie Sullivan is the most recent Golden Bull to make NFL news. Sullivan finished his playing career at JCSU in 2007. He played nine games at the safety position. Sullivan was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Carolina Panthers in 2009. He was later waived and then signed to the Panthers' practice squad in 2011. The next season, Sullivan signed as a free agent, but again was waived after a four month stint.
From 1968 to 1991, 15 players have been drafted out of Johnson C. Smith University into the NFL. The first was Bob Wells at the tackle position in the 15th round by the San Diego Chargers. The most recent was Joe Weinberg at wide receiver in the 11th round of the 1991 by the San Diego Chargers; the year after Mosely was born. The highest draft selections were running backs Bill Dusenberry by the Houston Oilers in the 1970 draft and Billy Corbett by the Cleveland Browns in the 1974 draft. Both were drafted in the second round as the 40th overall selection.
The current NFL Draft format only consist of seven rounds announced over a three-day period. If Mosely's name is called, he would be the first Golden Bull selected in the NFL Draft in 22 years.
The Road Leading to JCSU
Mosely graduated and played football at Spring Valley High School in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. In 2008, his collegiate career began at Tusculum College, where he remained until 2009. Both experiences shaped his development as a football player and as an overall person.
“I played for Coach Mike Armstrong at Spring Valley High and he really molded me into the player I've grown to become,” declared Mosely. “He was a very influential coach for me and he consistently emphasized, don't just play the game…dominate!”
Even though Mosely only spent one season at Tusculum, he grew quite fond of the program.
“Tusculum has an awesome Division II program; they have established a great platform on being a solid collegiate athlete,” he continued. “They had great structure within the program and the atmosphere in Greenville (Tennessee) really caters to football.”
Mosely admits that immaturity and academic struggles led to his departure at Tusculum. “I was 18 years old when I arrived there; the college life ate me alive. I left Tusculum with less than a 2.0 grade point average and I knew that wasn't acceptable.”
The next year was spent away from the game. Mosely moved back to Columbia to improve his GPA and be close to family. He began attending classes at the University of Phoenix (the Columbia, SC campus). “I got depressed not playing football,” he pointed out. “I worked three jobs just to keep busy, but I ended up gaining about 40 pounds of bad weight.”
He credits his mother (Myra Mosely) as his biggest encourager throughout life and during his break from football. “She has always been there for me and kept me motivated during some times when I wanted to give up. I'm the man I am today because of her.”
Mosely utilized the spring semester of 2010 at Phoenix to improve his GPA up to a 3.26. That summer he worked out with marine and close family Charles Green. He got back into football shape and trimmed down from 360 to 330 in three months. With his grades up to par and improved conditioning, Mosely just needed an opportunity to get back on the field.
One of the coaches that remained in contact with him was JCSU head coach
Steven Aycock.
“We were recruiting Mosely coming out of high school,” said Aycock. “He has always had the athleticism and tangibles to be an impressive offensive tackle and I knew that was something our program needed. Once I was informed that he received his release from Tusculum; we worked with him so he could be here (JCSU). He spent a year on the practice squad and he was pushing guys to be better. After that we plugged him in and he's been a big part of us building some success.”
“Being at Johnson C. Smith has been a blessing; it humbled me and really taught me the value of hard work,” said Mosely. “To make it out of here, you have to work hard! I've become a lot more self-motivated and I know that will pay off in the long run.”
Granted, Mosely's chances of being drafted are slim, but not impossible. The last player drafted from a CIAA school was Greg Toler from Saint Paul's College in the 2009 draft. The Arizona Cardinals selected Toler in the fourth round with the 131st pick as a defensive back. In the 2008 draft, the Cleveland Browns selected linebacker Alex Hall in the seventh round out of Saint Augustine's.
“I realize I may have to take a side road to get to the NFL, which is fine,” acknowledged Mosely. “I know God has the ultimate plan and I trust that. I just have to do my part to be as big, as fast, and as strong as possible to be successful and excel on the next level.”
Mosely has outlined goals in high school, college, and for his adult life. So far, he's been pretty successful in achieving most of them. Getting a chance to play in the NFL is next on the list.
“I've been extremely blessed to have the set of experiences I've gone through in life. I hope to experience the NFL someday. When thinking about the future, I live by the motto: catch your dreams, don't just chase them.”
