Position: OT
Height: 6’7"
Weight: 345
Hometown: Richmond, VA
High School: Meadowbrook HS, Fork Union Military Academy
Twitter: @MORGANMOSES_78
Virginia fans collectively breathed a sigh of relief in January when Moses announced his intent to return for his senior season. Moses could’ve left for the NFL, and almost definitely would’ve been drafted. But he has yet to fully reach his potential and a big season could push him into the first couple of rounds.
Oday Aboushi made a similar decision last year, and it may have cost him. Coming off the Hoos big season, Oday was projected as a 2nd or 3rd round pick, but Virginia’s poor season and a poor combine performance pushed Aboushi into the 5th round. Partly due to that poor season, Moses was nowhere near the 3rd round in this year’s draft. Coming back was clearly the correct decision for him. As a senior and 4th year starter, Moses will anchor the line and could be poised for a big season. He’s been named to Phil Steele’s pre-season All-America 4th team and All-ACC 1st team.
Coming out of HS in 2009, "Big Mo" was a Parade and SuperPrep All American. He was the #5 OT and the #49 overall player according to Rivals. According to ESPN, he was 6th and 48th. He was recruited by most of the top programs in the nation. After signing with Virginia, he was unable to gain eligibility and spent a season at FUMA. After that season, he enrolled at UVA and was starting by his 6th game. He started 7 games that season, 6 at RT and 1 at RG. He was named to several freshman All-America teams. In the past 2 seasons, Moses has started 24 of the Hoos 25 games, all at RT. This season, he moves to LT after the departure of Oday Aboushi.
Mo is simply a mountain of a man. Listed at 6'7" and 345 pounds, some reports have put him at closer to 360 pounds. He needs to keep the weight down, because he's had problems dealing with quicker DEs off the edge. As a run blocker, Mo's size and strength can make him a devastating presence. He may benefit from the move to LT, as it should simplify his job on many plays. He's likely going to be alone on most passing plays.
If the OL improves over last year’s performance, and Moses plays as well as he’s capable of, he could find himself in the first 2 rounds of the NFL. If the OL plays like most fans expect, and Moses struggles again, he could find himself as an UDFA. Big stakes for Mo this year.