Mo Alie-Cox Went From Star College Basketball Player to Catching Touchdowns for the Colts
Mo Alie-Cox is the latest former basketball player enjoying success at the NFL level.
Once a starting big man at VCU, Alie-Cox is growing into a dangerous weapon for Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts. Although Alie-Cox isn’t putting up Travis Kelce-like numbers yet, the ex-basketball player has found a home in the Colts’ offense.
This is Alie-Cox’s story, from impactful basketball player to catching touchdowns on Sundays.
Mo Alie-Cox played college basketball at VCU
VCU fans have to feel some semblance of pride watching Mo Alie-Cox on Sundays.
Alie-Cox, who stands 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 267 pounds, played four seasons for VCU as a forward. Originally a reserve big man who contributed 3.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per night in 35 games (four starts) as a freshman in 2013-14, Alie-Cox joined the starting lineup as a sophomore.
In his final three seasons, Alie-Cox averaged 9.1 points, five rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per night in 107 games, 99 of which he started.
Alie-Cox left VCU as the school’s all-time leader in field goal percentage. Rather than pursue a professional basketball career, however, Alie-Cox took his talents to the NFL.
Alie-Cox has been with the Colts since 2017
Undrafted in 2017, Mo Alie-Cox signed with the Indianapolis Colts despite not having played organized football in nearly a decade.
After missing that year with an injury, Alie-Cox debuted in 2018 and caught a 17-yard pass from Andrew Luck that September. Indianapolis promoted Alie-Cox for good in October and he finished his first, true professional season with seven catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
Six of Alie-Cox’s seven catches resulted in a first down, as touchdowns are officially considered first-downs.
In reserve duty last year, Alie-Cox turned eight catches into 93 yards; he also participated in 26% of the Colts’ special teams snaps.
Mo Alie-Cox is breaking out for the Colts this year
With Eric Ebron now in Pittsburgh, Mo Alie-Cox is taking a bigger role in Indianapolis this season.
Alie-Cox caught two passes for 20 yards in a Week 1 loss to Gardner Minshew and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Then came Alie-Cox’s breakout game in a Week 2 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Alie-Cox caught five passes for a career-high 111 yards.
In Week 3, Alie-Cox had three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in a 36-7 rout of the New York Jets.
Philip Rivers is no stranger to having former basketball players as a weapon in the passing game. Antonio Gates, a power forward at Kent State, thrived with the Chargers and could find himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame at some point.
As of publication, Mo Alie-Cox was available in over 90% of ESPN’s fantasy football leagues. Fantasy players may want to take a chance on Alie-Cox sooner than later, especially with the Colts using him as more than just a goal-line weapon.
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