Report: Colts Signing Converted VCU Basketball Player Mo Alie-Cox

According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts are set to sign converted VCU basketball standout Mo Alie-Cox.

The 6’7″, 250 pound former basketball star is attempting to convert to tight end at the NFL level:

It comes just a few days after Alie-Cox reportedly visited the Colts earlier this week for a free agent visit.

Alie-Cox figures to theoretically 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.

Of course, the Colts have had a history with converted hoopsters, as the team’s 2nd-string tight, Erik Swoope, was a former basketball player for the Miami Hurricanes–while the team also had prior success with recently retired offensive lineman Joe Reitz (Western Michigan), as well as tight end Marcus Pollard (Bradley) even earlier in the franchise’s history.

It’s worth noting that the Colts traded starter Dwayne Allen to the New England Patriots this offseason, so Jack Doyle has been elevated to the team’s primary tight end–having signed a lucrative multi-year deal during this year’s free agency.

However, Alie-Cox could be worth a developmental stash as the team’s 3rd-string tight end, as the only other competition as it stands at the position is veteran Brandon Williams–who was signed earlier this offseason. If nothing else, he could find his way eventually onto the Colts practice squad.

The Colts aren’t the only ones who have had success with converted basketball stars playing tight end, as some of the game’s all-time best tight ends such as Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez have come from basketball backgrounds and even more recently, the Seattle Seahawks Jimmy Graham–who’s among the current game’s elite.

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In theory, basketball forwards tend to make intriguing tight end projects because of their obvious size, athleticism, and footwork, with many basketball players possessing a strong lower half that they’ve effectively used to rebound and man the low block. Only this time around, they’re now using their low center of gravity to catch–warding off opposing defenders by ‘boxing out’ and to effectively block in the trenches.

Time will tell whether Alie-Cox will ultimately pan out for the Colts, but he’s definitely worth a shot as a developmental tight end given his physical measurables–especially with the recent results from fellow converted basketball standout Erik Swoope.