Report: Colts signing former VCU basketball player Mo Alie-Cox

The Indianapolis Colts are adding an intriguing tight end, as ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported this afternoon that Mo Alie-Cox is signing with the Colts.

The interesting thing about Alie-Cox is that he played basketball in college, but he’s looking to make the switch to football at the NFL level. He was a three-year starter on VCU’s basketball team, playing in 142 career games (starting 103). During his tenure there, he averaged 23.4 minutes per game, 7.7 points per game (he shot 57.4%), 4.7 rebounds per game, 0.8 assists per game, and 1.8 blocks per game. He recently held a workout for NFL scouts and the Colts were reportedly bringing him in for a visit, as were other teams. Alie-Cox was actually told by Cowboys star tight end Jason Witten that he had potential as an NFL tight end, and that’s something that Alie Cox has decided to try.

He’s able to sign now because he apparently was technically eligible for the 2016 NFL Draft and therefore is a free agent this year.

There were other teams interested in him, but it sounds like he’s chosen to sign with the Colts. That shouldn’t be a surprising decision either, as instead of talking a good game about their ability to transition a college basketball player to an NFL tight end, the Colts could actually prove it to Alie-Cox. Erik Swoope played collegiate basketball at Miami, signed with the Colts, and eventually developed into a guy who now is entering next season as Indy’s number two tight end.

It’s unclear how Alie-Cox will transition, but on a 90-man offseason roster these are moves that are worth making, taking a chance on a guy with upside. The Colts needed to add depth and competition at tight end too, as behind Jack Doyle and Erik Swoope they previously only had Brandon Williams.