What do Tony Gonzales, Antonio Gates, and Jimmy Graham all have in common, besides the fact that they excel while playing the tight end position in the NFL? If your answer was that they all played college basketball before making the jump to the NFL, then you guessed correctly. Perhaps the fact that all three of these tight ends were outstanding athletes on the basketball court was a foreshadowing of their future success on the football field. Why these guys ended up playing football instead of basketball at the next level is fairly simple. In all likelihood, they weren’t good enough. Size and position were the main reasons for this. At 6’4”, and without any experience or evidence that they could play the point guard position, it would have been an uphill climb trying to play small forward or even the two guard spot at the professional basketball level. Interestingly, there just so happens to be another player coming out in this year’s draft who could find success at the NFL level in much the same way that Gonzales, Gates, and Graham have. Join me after the jump to find out who this dynamic athlete is.

His name is Dale Moss, and although he only played wide receiver at South DakotaState for one year, he was able to show the NFL scouts what he could potentially become at the next level after finishing the season with an impressive 61 receptions, 949 total receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns for the Jackrabbits. When you watch some of his game film, there is little doubt that he is raw. However, what he lacks in game experience, he makes up for with his excellent size, above-average speed, and explosive leaping ability. I guess it never hurts to have the bloodlines of a famous college football athlete from the 1970’s either. If you were around in 1972, you may remember that his uncle, Johnny Rogers, won the Heisman Trophy that year as a punt returner, receiver, and running back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Although Moss is currently considered a late round sleeper, his stock could get a nice boost at the combine next week if he can put on a show in the physical evaluations and, more importantly, during the interview process. It will be imperative for him to convince the general managers and coaches alike that he will work tirelessly at becoming the next great player to successfully make the jump from college basketball to the NFL. Take a look at this video below and let me know whether or not you think this kid will make it in the NFL.