JEFFERSON’S Brandon Mosley won a national title at Auburn. Now he’s going to the Super Bowl champs.
The former Dragon was selected Saturday by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the NFL draft with the 131st pick.
“It feels great,” Mosley said. “I feel blessed to be where I’m at.”
Mosley, a standout right tackle at Auburn, described the anxious moments leading up to his selection while watching the draft in Jefferson with his family and fiancée.
Projected as a third to fifth-round pick, the watch was on for Mosley Friday night when the third round started. It continued on into Saturday afternoon as the draft went into round four.
“I tried not to watch it too much, but it was hard to stay away from the TV,” Mosley said.
Finally, after more and more selections rolled in, it became too much, so Mosley decided to go lay down. He wouldn’t lay long.
“I laid down and two seconds later a New Jersey number called,” Mosley said.
It was the New York organization on the phone, asking him if he was ready to be a Giant.
About five minutes later, Mosley’s selection was made official when his name was called at the NFL draft. The wait was over. His longtime dream had been fulfilled.
Mosley will now join a Giant offense headed by Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, and complemented with stars like Ahmad Bradshaw, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.
“It feels awesome to be able to play with such great guys and great coaching staff and such a great organization,” Mosley said.
The 6-6, 315-pounder has never been to New York.
“It’s really exciting,” he said. “I’ve always kind of wanted to go visit or take a vacation. It will be a little bit of culture shock.”
Mosley’s story has been one of perseverance and adapting to change.
After playing for Jefferson from 2003-2006, he initially enrolled at Georgia Military College but transferred to Coffeyville Junior College. There, his play at tight end garnered attention from Auburn, who signed him before the 2010 season. While at Auburn, Mosley switched from tight end to tackle. It turned out to be a key move as he took over as a starter at right tackle in game four of the 2010 season. Blocking for Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, Mosley helped Auburn win the national title that year.
Mosley became an All-SEC selection in 2011 and was the only Auburn Tiger selected in this year’s NFL draft.
According to media reports, Mosley could play guard or tackle now at the next level.
“He may be a guy that can handle learning both guard and tackle right away so we look forward to that,” New York coach Tom Coughlin told media outlets after the draft.
“I’m sure they’ll try me at both,” Mosley said.
Several experts have pointed to Mosley’s upside since he is relatively new to the offensive line. ESPN draft guru Todd McShay labeled Mosley as an “intriguing pick.”
“The arrow is pointing straight up,” McShay wrote for espn.com. “Mosley has good size, and the athleticism to have played tight end and defensive end in junior college.”
McShay added that Mosley is quick, has enormous hands to lock onto defenders, a powerful upper body and “a nasty streak.”
“There are some concerns about how quickly he can absorb an NFL playbook, but if he can push for a starting job in 2013, it would be a huge boost for a team with plenty of issues up front.”
Mosley said he’s ready to do whatever it takes to learn the Giants’ playbook and earn a spot in the field.
“I guess coming from a spread-type offense, it will be a little different,” Mosley said.
But Mosley points out — as evidenced by his football career — he’s been able to roll with the changes. That transition to professional football starts in 10 days when he leaves for New York for a three-day rookie camp.
While bigger football is on the horizon for Mosley, he said he’ll remember the path that got him to this point.
“I’ll never forget where I came from and what it took to get here,” Mosley said.
