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Report: VCU Hoopster Mo Alie-Cox Visiting Colts on Monday

By Luke Schultheis

Nov 28, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia Commonwealth Rams forward Mo Alie-Cox (12) smiles from the court during the second half against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams won 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia Commonwealth Rams forward Mo Alie-Cox (12) smiles from the court during the second half against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams won 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to ESPN NFL Nation’s Rob Demovsky, former VCU basketball player Mo Alie-Cox is visiting the Colts on Monday in the hopes of becoming a tight end at the NFL level.

It’s worth noting that Alie-Cox is already a free agent as he was eligible for last year’s draft, so he is not subjected to being selected in the 2017 NFL Draft like other potential rookies:

At 6’7″, 250 pounds, Alie-Cox figures to have the size and athleticism to play tight end, as he’s coming off a season with the Rams in which he averaged 9.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg., and 2.0 bpg in 26.3 mpg–earning All-Atlantic 10 Defensive Team and Third Team honors respectively.

Dec 27, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia Commonwealth Rams forward Mo Alie-Cox (12) dunks the ball against the Liberty Flames during the second half at Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams won 85-57. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia Commonwealth Rams forward Mo Alie-Cox (12) dunks the ball against the Liberty Flames during the second half at Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams won 85-57. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

Of course, the Colts have been no stranger to having success with converted basketball standouts.

Specifically, their 2nd-string tight end Erik Swoope has successfully made the transition from playing hoops at Miami (Fla.) to becoming an NFL caliber tight end.

Not to mention, the franchise has had success in the past by taking a flyer on others collegiate basketball hoopsters such as recently retired offensive lineman Joe Reitz (Western Michigan) and former standout tight end Marcus Pollard (Bradley).

The Colts aren’t alone; however, as some of the NFL’s all-time best tight ends such as Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates come from basketball backgrounds–while one of the game’s current best, Jimmy Graham, does as well.

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Typically, basketball forwards seem to be able to make a relatively smooth transition to playing tight end more than the average athlete changing sports because they already possess great hand-eye coordination, strength, athleticism, quick feet, and a strong lower half–stemming from their ability to box out on rebounds and defend the post.

Time will tell whether Alie-Cox ultimately ends up with the Colts, but it makes sense that Indianapolis is at least kicking the tires on him as a developmental tight end.

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