Dan Mozes
Encyclopedia
Daniel Mozes is an American football
Center
who is currently a free agent
in the National Football League
. He was unselected in the 2007 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at West Virginia
.
Mozes is considered to be one of the greatest lineman to play for West Virginia. He and running back
Steve Slaton
(for whom he blocked) were the first pair of consensus All-Americans in school history. He won the Rimington Trophy his senior season.
at West Virginia University. For the first two years of his career, he played at left guard
on the offensive line. In the middle of his junior year, he moved to center
. He was a three time all Big East academic all-star (2003-2004-2005).
s.
. He won the Gridiron Gladiator Award from the WVU coaches for his play on-field. He recorded a team high six knockdowns against the Miami Hurricanes
and five against Virginia Tech
. He suffered a hip sprain against the Pitt. He won MVP honors against Wisconsin
and was named rookie of the week against Cincinnati
.
, he was moved to center. Since that game, he started at that position. After recording seven knockdowns, he sprained his left ankle
in the game against Cincinnati, which put him in pain for the last three games of the season. He was named Offensive MVP against Virginia Tech and Pitt. He was named 2005 Second-team All-American by the Associated Press
. He was also named first-team All-Big East for the second consecutive year, Rimington Trophy finalist, named to the ESPN
All-Conference squad, and named to the All-ECAC squad.
and won the Rimington Trophy for the nation's best Center. By winning the award, he became the first Mountaineer since 1916 (when awards were first handed out) to win a national award. He was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy
, was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award
, and won the Rimington Trophy. He led the way for the Mountaineers team that recorded over 3,600 yards rushing in 2006. His offensive line also was strong in the passing game, where they only gave up 1.17 sacks per game (Mozes gave up no sacks). He, and the back he blocked for, Steve Slaton
, were the only Big East players named to first-team All-American team, and they were the first pair of consensus All-Americans in school history. Mozes and Slaton were also the 10th and 11th players in school history to earn the honor.
On May 17, 2007, about a month after signing his deal with the Vikings
in the NFL, Mozes won the 2007 Fred Schaus Captain's Award
. The award is presented annually to the school's most outstanding varsity team captains.
. During the Senior Bowl
, he did fairly well. During practice, a botched snap occurred between himself and Troy Smith
, but it was not determined who caused the mistake. On the January 23, during practice, Mozes reportedly "cheap shotted" defensive tackle Amobi Okoye
on the neck, while two days later, Mozes was said to have been "blown by" by Okoye. Mozes started the game for the North side at center.
After the Senior Bowl, NFL Draft Countdown's Scott Wright reported that Mozes was the ninth prospect whose stock was slipping the most, saying "[He is a] Highly-decorated college player who lacks the physical tools for the next level."
ESPN reported that Mozes was their #8 Center in the 2007 class. His effort was a big positive, while they worried about his size against NFL defenders. He was compared to Indianapolis Colts
center Jeff Saturday
. Athlon Sports reported that Mozes was their eighth center in the class as well. They said his "good smarts and instincts" were a positive, while he "struggles to get movement off the ball."
In an April 19 article from Sports Illustrated.com
, writer Stewart Mandel
picked Mozes as the most underrated offensive lineman in the class. Mandel said,"...Mozes was one of the nation's best. It's hard to believe he's not worthy of a selection somewhere over the course of seven rounds."
. He was signed a day after by the Minnesota Vikings.
(ACL) on his right knee while making a block in practice. He was then place on Injured Reserve
on August 8. And missing the entire 2007
season. He was waived by the Vikings on August 8. However, he returned to the Vikings for their 2008 training camp due to the absence of Matt Birk
.
, joining the program in February 2009. His boss at Michigan, Mike Barwis, was his strength coach at West Virginia.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
Center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was unselected in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
.
Mozes is considered to be one of the greatest lineman to play for West Virginia. He and running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
(for whom he blocked) were the first pair of consensus All-Americans in school history. He won the Rimington Trophy his senior season.
College career
Mozes was a four-year starterStarting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
at West Virginia University. For the first two years of his career, he played at left guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
on the offensive line. In the middle of his junior year, he moved to center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
. He was a three time all Big East academic all-star (2003-2004-2005).
Freshman (2002)
Mozes redshirted and saw no action the entire season. However, he still won the Danny Van Etten Award as top offensive rookie performer on WVU's scout teamScout team
In sports, the scout team, also referred to as a practice team, taxi squad, practice squad or practice roster, is a group of players on a team whose task is to emulate future opponents for the featured players. Frequently used in American or Canadian Football, these teams consist of less...
s.
Freshman (2003)
After redshirting a year, Mozes started every game his redshirt freshman season at left guard. During 2003, he was named first-team All-Big East and became a freshman All-American while starting every game. He recorded 32 knockdowns and was the MVP against the Central Florida and RutgersRutgers Scarlet Knights football
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represents Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision play...
. He won the Gridiron Gladiator Award from the WVU coaches for his play on-field. He recorded a team high six knockdowns against the Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
and five against Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
. He suffered a hip sprain against the Pitt. He won MVP honors against Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
and was named rookie of the week against Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats football
The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as...
.
Sophomore (2004)
Mozes was named First Team All-Big East, and started every game of the season. He also won academic All-Big East accolades.Junior (2005)
During his junior year, Mozes started two games at left guard. For the game against MarylandUniversity of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, he was moved to center. Since that game, he started at that position. After recording seven knockdowns, he sprained his left ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
in the game against Cincinnati, which put him in pain for the last three games of the season. He was named Offensive MVP against Virginia Tech and Pitt. He was named 2005 Second-team All-American by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
. He was also named first-team All-Big East for the second consecutive year, Rimington Trophy finalist, named to the ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
All-Conference squad, and named to the All-ECAC squad.
Senior (2006)
As a senior, Mozes was named a NCAA consensus All-American2006 College Football All-America Team
The 2006 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following All-American Teams: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly, CBS Sports, ESPN, College...
and won the Rimington Trophy for the nation's best Center. By winning the award, he became the first Mountaineer since 1916 (when awards were first handed out) to win a national award. He was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
, was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award
Lombardi Award
The Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
, and won the Rimington Trophy. He led the way for the Mountaineers team that recorded over 3,600 yards rushing in 2006. His offensive line also was strong in the passing game, where they only gave up 1.17 sacks per game (Mozes gave up no sacks). He, and the back he blocked for, Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, were the only Big East players named to first-team All-American team, and they were the first pair of consensus All-Americans in school history. Mozes and Slaton were also the 10th and 11th players in school history to earn the honor.
On May 17, 2007, about a month after signing his deal with the Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
in the NFL, Mozes won the 2007 Fred Schaus Captain's Award
Fred Schaus
Frederick Appleton Schaus was an American basketball player, head coach and athletic director for the West Virginia University Mountaineers, player for the NBA's Fort Wayne Pistons and New York Knicks, general manager and head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, head coach of Purdue University...
. The award is presented annually to the school's most outstanding varsity team captains.
Pre-Draft
Mozes left West Virginia as a senior and was expected to be a second-day pick in the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. During the Senior Bowl
Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium...
, he did fairly well. During practice, a botched snap occurred between himself and Troy Smith
Troy Smith
Troy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He...
, but it was not determined who caused the mistake. On the January 23, during practice, Mozes reportedly "cheap shotted" defensive tackle Amobi Okoye
Amobi Okoye
-Houston Texans:Okoye signed a five-year deal with the Texans on July 26, which allowed him to begin training camp with his teammates the next day. With his first start, Okoye became the youngest player to appear in an NFL game since 1967....
on the neck, while two days later, Mozes was said to have been "blown by" by Okoye. Mozes started the game for the North side at center.
After the Senior Bowl, NFL Draft Countdown's Scott Wright reported that Mozes was the ninth prospect whose stock was slipping the most, saying "[He is a] Highly-decorated college player who lacks the physical tools for the next level."
ESPN reported that Mozes was their #8 Center in the 2007 class. His effort was a big positive, while they worried about his size against NFL defenders. He was compared to Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
center Jeff Saturday
Jeff Saturday
Jeffrey Bryant Saturday is an American football center for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He played college football at North Carolina. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the National Football League Players' Association.-Early years:Saturday attended...
. Athlon Sports reported that Mozes was their eighth center in the class as well. They said his "good smarts and instincts" were a positive, while he "struggles to get movement off the ball."
In an April 19 article from Sports Illustrated.com
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
, writer Stewart Mandel
Stewart Mandel
Stewart Lance Mandel is an American sports writer who focuses on college football and college basketball. Mandel was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, attending Sycamore High School, and is a graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Journalism....
picked Mozes as the most underrated offensive lineman in the class. Mandel said,"...Mozes was one of the nation's best. It's hard to believe he's not worthy of a selection somewhere over the course of seven rounds."
NFL Draft
Mozes went unselected in the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. He was signed a day after by the Minnesota Vikings.
National Football League career
Mozes checked into Gage Hall on July 25, for the start of training camp. He completed his physical upon arrival and passed completely for the 2007 season. However, on August 6, 2007, he tore his Anterior cruciate ligamentAnterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
(ACL) on his right knee while making a block in practice. He was then place on Injured Reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
on August 8. And missing the entire 2007
2007 Minnesota Vikings season
The 2007 Minnesota Vikings season was the team's 47th season in the National Football League. The Viking's 8-8 record under second year head coach Brad Childress was an improvement on their 6-10 record in 2006; nonetheless, for the third straight year, the Vikings failed to make the playoffs...
season. He was waived by the Vikings on August 8. However, he returned to the Vikings for their 2008 training camp due to the absence of Matt Birk
Matt Birk
Matthew Robert Birk is an American football center for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Harvard....
.
University of Michigan
Mozes is currently an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of MichiganMichigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, joining the program in February 2009. His boss at Michigan, Mike Barwis, was his strength coach at West Virginia.
External links
- Minnesota Vikings bio
- Profile at ESPN.comESPN.comESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
- Profile at CBSSports.comCBSSports.comCBSSports.com was founded in 1994 as SportsLine USA, and today is a CBS-owned website that provides sports scores, news, statistics, live and on-demand video, mobile apps, e-commerce, fantasy sports products, services, and information..Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, CBSSports.com it is...
- College stats at WVUStats.com
- 'Eers in Pros Profile
- Michigan bio