MORGANTOWN —
Dan Mozes distinguished himself as one of the most-honored offensive linemen in West Virginia University’s football history.
For starters, he became the first Mountaineer to win the prestigious Rimington Trophy as a 6-4, 290-pound senior center. That recognition as college football’s top center was in 2006 when he finished as a consensus All-American selection.
Mozes, a four-year starter from Washington, Pa., also was one of four finalists for the Outland Trophy and was considered for the Lombardi Award.
Besides center, he saw action as a guard. He enjoyed that position but he could have more control over the line better from the center position.
“Yes, winning the Rimington Trophy was a truly great honor for me. No Mountaineers player had won it before 2006 or since then.
“That led to other honors for me. I played with some outstanding linemen and they deserve a lot of credit.”
Despite a few injuries, Mozes set a WVU record with 49 starts. Those included 39 in a row.
He averaged a career-high 91.7 percent in performance rating his senior year.
Mozes earned several individual awards from WVU coaches. He made the All-Big East and All-ECAC first teams in both 2005 and 2006.
While pleased with his achievements, the very personable Mozes always shared credit with those who toiled up front with him.
In all, he was named to seven All-America first teams. In 2006 those were by the American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp, The Sporting News, The Associated Press, ESPN and Rivals Scout.
Mozes was chosen to play in the Senior Bowl all-star game after completing his collegiate eligibility.
He graduated from WVU in December 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He earned a 3.65 grade point average.
Shockingly, Mozes was not selected by any team in the 2007 NFL draft.
He signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings but missed the 2007 season with an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) knee injury. He was released after the 2008 preseason ended.
He joined former WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez’s strength and training staff at Michigan.
Mozes still resides in Michigan, where he’s working for a firm that is involved in working with high school athletes.
He served notice as a redshirt freshman in 2003 that he would be a star. The Sporting News named him to its freshman All-America second team.
He helped his high school to a 15-0 record and WPIAL 2-A state championship and made the small school All-State team.
Mozes was selected by the Washington (Pa.) Observer-Reporter as a defensive player of the year as a high school senior. Pittsburgh’s two major newspapers, Post-Gazette and Tribune-Review, listed Mozes among the area’s top 25 players.
Mozes played in four bowl games with the Mountaineers, including the Sugar Bowl following the 2005 season.
Mickey Furfari
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