Another Moss

Thaddeus Moss is making a football name for himself. As the son of Randy Moss he's always received attention. His own football skills are drawing the attention of college coaches now. He's one of the best tight end's in the country. The four-star recruit from Charlotte Mallard Creek High revealed his top six schools last week:

Georgia
UCLA
USC
NC State
Nebraska
Arizona St.

He's clearly looking at schools across the nation. Those schools that had hopes for the younger Moss shouldn't lose hope. His top eight from a month ago looked like this:

Alabama
Arizona St.
Georgia
Miami
North Carolina St.
Oregon
UCLA
West Virginia

I've never understood why people find the need to pressure teenagers for a significant decision months, even years, before they have to make it. Moss and his fellow soon-to-be-seniors don't have to sign their letters of intent until February. Why push them for their decisions now? Just let them enjoy their final year of high school. If I was a highly recruited high school athlete I think that I'd toss out a new list of preferred colleges whenever someone asked. Just to keep people guessing. Anyway, if Moss is seriously considering a Pac-12 school he really should take a trip to Berkeley.

With Thaddeus Moss making his own presence known in the football world I had to take a look at some of his junior highlights. At 6'4", he has his father's height. At 240 pounds, he's much more football-sized than his father ever was. While not quite as explosive as his father the junior Moss has the same physical advantage over nearly everyone tasked with guarding him. The thing about Thaddeus Moss that struck me most in his highlights was his presence on defense. He plays defensive end. And he blocks! He's not just a pass-catching tight end. But, it's his play on defense that really caught my eye. It wasn't the free runs at the quarterback that were impressive. Nearly anyone can collect sacks when the offensive line does little to slow a pass rusher. It's his awareness. He could see plays before they developed. He has the football smarts that his father has. It's fun to see those Moss smarts on defense. As far as I know every school recruiting Moss is recruiting him as a tight end but it wouldn't surprise me at all if some might consider playing him at defensive end. He has some of the read and react skills that are difficult to teach.

I wish Thaddeus Moss well in his senior year, his college years, hopefully his NFL years to come, and especially in his own football life.