clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Purdue Football Recruiting: Navon Mosley Commits

The Boilers picked up their seventh verbal commit for the 2016 class on Saturday.

By Andy Zimmerman
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue landed its 7th verbal commitment for the class of 2016 today with Michigan defensive back Navon Mosley.  The 5'11", 180 lb. safety plays at West Bloomfield High School where he was teammates with 2015 Purdue freshman defensive tackle Eddy Wilson and 2016 Michigan State wide receiver commit Trishton Jackson.  According to 247sports and Rivals, Mosley is a 3-star prospect with offers from Illinois, Ball State, Bowling Green, Toledo, and Buffalo, among others.

Mosley plays running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and safety at West Bloomfield but was recruited by the coaching staff to play safety at Purdue.  I have always loved guys that line up on both sides of the ball, specifically corners and safeties that also play receiver, and receivers that also play in the secondary.  They're more versatile, intelligent, and prepared.  They understand the game better.  If you watch him in coverage as a safety, you'll see that he could also easily end up at corner for Coach Hazell, depending on the situation and the need when that time comes.

After his unofficial visit to West Lafayette today, Mosley said that he feels comfortable with Purdue and he really seems to like the coaching staff.  He also said that he is leaving his recruitment open but has a good feeling about Purdue.  I'm not a huge fan of players who take that route with their recruitment (especially when they verbalize it to the media).  It takes all the value and meaning out of the verbal commitment, but to each his own.  College football and basketball recruiting is an interesting and polarizing process that I don't think any of us will ever fully understand.

Check out the video below of Mosley doing work last season.  I'm more impressed with his skills in pass coverage than his run-stopping abilities, but it's difficult to get a gauge on the competition when you're playing with other Division I players alongside you every game.  He seems physical and has very good awareness.  As a receiver, he reminds me of other defensive backs that I've seen that also play multiple positions - he outsmarts his defender and finds holes and seams that other kids don't see.

More From Hammer and Rails