The Rise of Raheem Mostert: From College Standout to NFL Record-Breaker

Dominique Raheem Mostert, born on April 9, 1992, is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner currently playing for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). His journey to NFL stardom is a testament to perseverance, dedication, and exceptional athletic ability. This article delves into Mostert's college career, tracing his development from a promising high school athlete to a standout performer at Purdue University.

High School Career

Mostert attended New Smyrna Beach High School in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where he excelled in both football and track and field. As a football player under coach Lance Jenkins, Mostert showcased his versatility by returning nine kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiver, recording 39 receptions for 723 yards (18.5 average) and four touchdowns during his senior year. Defensively, he added 81 tackles. In the 2010 Central Florida All-Star Game, Mostert earned the MVP award after making three receptions for nearly 100 yards and scoring on a 94-yard kick return touchdown. He also participated in the Florida North vs. South All-Star Game.

As a track athlete under coach Brendan Robinson, Mostert distinguished himself as a sprinter, hurdler, and jumper.

College Career at Purdue University (2011-2014)

Mostert committed to Purdue University on January 14, 2011, transitioning from a wide receiver to running back, and played college football from 2011 to 2014. Despite an unexpected football coach change and a challenging team record, Mostert found his niche and thrived in track and field. He secured four Big Ten titles, winning the 60m and 200m at the indoor track championship and the 100m and 200m in outdoor track in consecutive seasons.

2011 Season

In his first collegiate season in 2011, Mostert immediately made an impact on special teams. He set a school record by averaging 33.5 yards per kickoff return. This included a 99-yard touchdown return in the 2011 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against Western Michigan. Mostert finished the season with seven returns of 39 or more yards, including an 81-yarder at Indiana and a 74-yarder at Wisconsin. Against the Badgers, Mostert accumulated 206 yards on five kickoff returns, breaking 42-year-old school records for total yardage and average yards per return in a single game (41.2). For his performance against Wisconsin, Mostert was named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week, the first Purdue freshman to receive this honor since Rob Henry in October 2010. Mostert's 837 kickoff return yards rank as the second-best in school history for a single season.

Additional Statistics

Returned 11 kicks for 258 yards, including a 100-yard scoring return at Penn State.
Season-high five carries for 36 yards against Eastern Kentucky.
Two carries for seven yards.
Rushed three times for 26 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Michigan.
Four carries for six yards against Marshall.
Rushed twice for 10 yards against Michigan.
Five carries for 32 yards against Southeast Missouri.
Two returns for 49 yards and rushed three times for 31 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown run, against Minnesota.
Returned three kickoffs for 111 yards at Penn State.
Scored on a 21-yard run against Illinois.
Two kickoff returns for 44 yards at Michigan.
Three returns for 52 yards against Iowa.
99 yards, including an 81-yarder, on two returns at Indiana.
Sealed NCAA statistical KOR title with a bowl-record 99-yard return for a touchdown against Western Michigan in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.

Track and Field achievements

After winning his four Big Ten Champion titles and being recognized as the "Fastest College Football Player in the NCAA," Mostert attracted the attention of NFL coaches, especially after his impressive pro-day. Raheem also made Second team All-American in the 4x100m relay and 100m.

Transition to the NFL

After going undrafted during the 2015 NFL draft, Mostert signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. Although he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage in the preseason with 157 rushing yards and 191 receiving yards, totaling 348 yards, he was waived by the Eagles and subsequently signed to their practice squad. This marked the beginning of a long and winding journey through the NFL, characterized by numerous team changes before finding stability and success.

Early NFL Career (2015-2016)

Mostert's early NFL career involved a series of transactions:

Philadelphia Eagles: Signed as an undrafted free agent (May 2, 2015), waived (Sept. 5, 2015), signed to practice squad (Sept. 6, 2015).
Miami Dolphins: Signed to active roster from Eagles practice squad (Sept. 15, 2015), waived (Oct. 13, 2015).
Baltimore Ravens: Claimed via waivers (Oct. 14, 2015), waived (Dec. 15, 2015).
Cleveland Browns: Claimed via waivers (Dec. 16, 2015), re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent (March 7, 2016), waived (Sept. 4, 2016).
New York Jets: Signed to practice squad (Sept. 6, 2016), released from practice squad (Sept. 12, 2016).
Chicago Bears: Signed to practice squad (Sept. 13, 2016), signed to active roster (Sept. 21, 2016), waived (Oct. 3, 2016), signed to practice squad (Oct. 4, 2016), released from practice squad (Oct. 21, 2016).

San Francisco 49ers (2016-2020)

Mostert's career took a turn when he signed with the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad on November 28, 2016. He was promoted to the active roster on December 31, 2016. He re-signed with the 49ers as an exclusive rights free agent on March 12, 2018, and again as a restricted free agent on March 13, 2019.

Miami Dolphins (2022-2023)

Mostert signed with the Miami Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent on March 17, 2022. In the season-opener against the Detroit Lions, Mostert rushed twice for 20 yards before exiting with a knee injury. He was later diagnosed with significant cartilage damage in his knee. Mostert finished the 2022 season with 181 carries for 891 yards and three touchdowns, along with 31 receptions for 202 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and 14 starts. He was released by the Dolphins on February 28, 2023, but re-signed with the team on March 15, 2023.

Read also: Phoenix Suns' New Center

In 2023, Mostert had a career year, leading the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns. His 21 total touchdowns were the third-most in NFL history by an undrafted player.

Key Moments and Statistics

Averages 5.0 yards per carry over his career, tied for the fourth-best mark among running backs since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970.
His 220 rushing yards in the 2019 NFC Championship vs. Green Bay propelled the 49ers to the Super Bowl.

Personal Life

Growing up near the Atlantic Ocean, Mostert developed a love for aquatic life. He married Devon Beckwith on March 3, 2017. They have two sons, Gunnar Grey, born in June 2018, and Neeko, born on September 22, 2020.

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

tags: #raheem #mostert #college #career #stats