Fw*telegram, True Fresh Making Impact

OldTimer · September 29, 2007

Posted on Sat, Sep. 29, 2007reprint or license print email Digg it del.icio.us AIM True freshman making impact

By TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram staff writer

DENTON -- Had it been anyone other than Todd Dodge, Bob West said he wouldn't have gotten involved.

West, a veteran sportswriter for the Port Arthur News, covered Dodge when the latter played quarterback nearly 30 years ago at Port Arthur Jefferson High. West does color commentary for local radio at Port Arthur-area high school games and watched Nederland running back Micah Mosley last season.

"Nobody was recruiting him as a running back," West said. "I called Todd and told him, 'If he can't play for you, I don't know anything about football.' If it had been Mack Brown, I wouldn't have done it."

Days after talking with West, and after watching tape of Mosley frustrating powerhouse La Marque, Mosley became the first back to commit to Dodge at North Texas.

Mosley, who ran for a school-record 2,403 yards last year at Nederland, is one of Dodge's early UNT success stories. Mosley will see time tonight when the Mean Green (0-3) faces Arkansas (1-2) in Fayetteville, Ark.

Mosley has been a starter and a backup in UNT's spread offense. Senior Jamario Thomas, who recently returned from hamstring problems, is mentoring Mosley on the finer points of moving the chains.

If UNT's running game clicks, the two could be a tough combination for opponents: Thomas with his big-play history and Mosley's potential to turn short yardage into something special.

"It's always good to be behind a guy willing to teach you or help out in any way," Mosley said. "He didn't start at SMU, but he was the first one off the sideline to tell me what I did wrong or right. It's a good relationship."

Mosley has 19 carries for 71 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown, with no fumbles. He also has caught seven passes.

Dodge told Mosley "don't plan to redshirt" as a true freshman. And Mosley showed Dodge he was ready to play during fall drills.

"I wanted him to come in here and compete," Dodge said. "When he stepped on campus, he didn't come here with a redshirt mentality. We don't want that, because you never know."

Mosley said before Dodge, a Port Arthur legend, called him, he was being recruited as a defensive back, and he strongly considered playing baseball at nearby Lamar University.

"I know recruiting isn't an exact science," Nederland coach Larry Neumann said. "Some players don't get recognized for what they rightly deserve. There are lots of variables: size of [high] schools, competition and other things."

Neumann conceded another variable -- though he lacks direct knowledge where Mosley's recruiting was concerned -- might be race. It's a sensitive issue, but Mosley is a white running back, rare beyond high school.

Asked about the lack of attention, Mosley himself broached the point despite uncomfortable.

"You don't see too many white backs," he said. "That's hard to say without it sounding bad, and I don't mean it that way."

Despite games last year with 406, 318 and 275 yards rushing, as well as showing breakaway speed (12 carries, 138 yards) against one of the state's fastest defenses in La Marque, Mosley couldn't get other schools to take him seriously as a running back.

"Those two [touchdown] runs against La Marque were all I needed to see," Dodge said.

To Neumann, Dodge got a steal -- not only an excellent student but a back who matured early.

"Micah will never be deterred one bit," Neumann said. "He's done some unbelievable things here, but it's not all he is. His mental approach and demeanor are a little beyond his years."

tphillips@star-telegram.com

Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760

MeanGreengdub · September 29, 2007

Good article. It is different seeing a white running back but I don't care what color you are as long as you're getting your job done. I think Micah will end up being a solid RB for us in the future.