Riley Moss: From Hurdles Star to Broncos’ Rising Cornerback

The Big Picture

Imagine being really good at two completely different sports. That’s Riley Moss — a guy who won a state championship in high school hurdles and now starts at cornerback for the Denver Broncos. He’s the "other" cornerback playing opposite superstar Pat Surtain II, and he’s having his best training camp yet in his fourth year with the team.

Quick Note: A cornerback is the defensive player who covers wide receivers and tries to stop them from catching passes. It’s one of the toughest positions in football!

From Track Star to Football Star

The Hurdles Connection

Believe it or not, running hurdles in high school made Moss a better football player. Here’s why:

Hip mobility: Hurdles teach you to move your hips fluidly — exactly what you need to flip and run with receivers
Speed and rhythm: The 110-meter hurdles require explosive speed and perfect timing
State champion: Moss won the Iowa state title in 2018 with a time of 13.85 seconds — just ticks off the state record!

Moss’s Own Words: "The thing about the hurdles… I only picked it up because naturally I was flexible and I was fast. And I kind of grew with it… it was great for playing DB because it was one of the more similar things. It was all about hip mobility and how fast you are."

The Elephant in the Room: Stereotypes and Penalties

The Uncomfortable Truth

Moss is the first white starting boundary cornerback in the NFL since Jason Sehorn in 2002. That’s 20+ years!

The Penalty Problem

Last season, Moss was called for:

8 pass interference penalties (most in the entire league!)
1 illegal contact penalty

What His Teammates Think

All-Pro Pat Surtain II and safety Talanoa Hufanga believe referees might be subconsciously stereotyping Moss — expecting him to get beat by elite receivers and throwing flags when he’s actually playing good defense.

Moss’s Response

"I try not to make (the stereotype) a big deal because I want it to be me earning it through the way I play. I think some of it, yes, there were some horrible calls. At the same time I still have to come back and play football and not let it bother me."

The Breakthrough: Training Camp Transformation

What’s Different This Year?

Moss has shown noticeable improvement during his fourth training camp. Here’s the evidence:

Cleanly breaking up deep balls intended for top receivers Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr.
Turning his head around to make plays on the ball (technique coaches call "playing the ball")
Snagged an interception in the preseason opener at Atlanta — using his hands perfectly!

The "1% Better" Mentality

Moss credits a simple but powerful approach:

"The biggest thing where I’m proud of myself is going into each day like it’s a new day. I need to get 1% better or figure something out that I can improve on today. And that’s all about being where my feet are at and the rest will take care of itself."

Secret Weapon: Boxing Gloves Practice

The Problem

Earlier in his career, Moss would panic and grab receivers when they ran routes — leading to those penalties.

The Creative Solution

Around the two-thirds mark of last season, Broncos defensive coaches had Moss practice wearing boxing gloves!

Why It Worked

No fingers = no grabbing — physically impossible to hold onto a receiver
Forced better footwork — had to move feet to stay in position
Mental reset — taught him not to panic at the top of routes

Moss Explains: "It was a good mental reminder that at the top of the route I can’t grab onto him, I’ve got to move my feet and get in position… it was a good reminder for me not to panic, use my feet and get in position because I’m not going to be able to use hands and it helped a lot."

Where the Grit Comes From

Childhood Foundation

Moss’s toughness didn’t start with football or hurdles:

Parents’ rule: "When you start something you’re going to finish something. You’re going to go, you’re going to work and you’re (not going to skip) the easy things."
Dad was his youth football coach — laid the foundation
Mom reinforced the same values outside of sports
Self-motivated: "My parents never pushed me into sports, it was more me going out with my friends because I enjoyed sports and then I wanted to be really good at it."

College: The Iowa Way

Playing at the University of Iowa reinforced everything:

"That is the breeding ground for that entire mindset. It’s all grit, it’s not going to look sexy. You’re going to have to go hard every single day in practice to earn your spot and it just prepared me for where I’m at now."

The Contract Situation

What’s Happening?

Moss is entering the final year of his rookie contract
The Broncos haven’t started extension talks yet
But — the team loves him and wants to keep him long-term

Why the Wait?

The Broncos are in the bottom half of the league in salary cap space. They also have three other key players in their final contract year:

Ja’Quan McMillian (starting nickelback)
Marvin Mims Jr. (receiver/returner)
Brandon Jones (starting safety)

The Silver Lining

The better Moss plays, the more he’ll earn — whenever that contract gets done. And he’s totally cool with that.

Handling the Pressure

Moss’s Secret: "Where My Feet Are"

When asked about contract pressure, Moss gave the perfect ELI5 answer:

"Being where my feet are. Trusting God’s plan and I’ve got no pressure man, I’ll be honest. This football thing, I know it’s short. I’m going to try and play as long as I can. At the same time I’m not going to put any extra pressure on myself so if I go out and play like crud, I’m going to go out and play free and whatever happens, happens."

Translation for Kids (and Adults!):

Focus on TODAY, not tomorrow’s contract
Control what you can control (your effort, your preparation)
Play loose and free — that’s when you’re at your best

What’s Next for Moss and the Broncos?

Preseason Schedule

Friday vs. Packers: Moss and starters play at least two series at Empower Field
Next Friday vs. Vikings: Likely sits out (coach Sean Payton’s usual pattern)
Monday, Sept. 14: Regular season opener at Kansas City vs. Chiefs (Monday Night Football!)

Moss’s Mindset

"Yeah, I love practice, I love getting better with the guys. But looking forward to the season for sure."

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Riley Moss turned hurdles speed/hip mobility into elite cornerback skills

He faced unfair penalties and stereotypes but refuses to make excuses

Boxing gloves practice fixed his grabbing habit by forcing better footwork

His grit comes from childhood values (finish what you start) + Iowa football culture

Contract talks wait due to team salary cap — but his play determines his value

Mental approach: Stay present ("where my feet are"), play free, trust the process

Summary

Riley Moss is writing a unique NFL story. A white cornerback from Iowa who won state hurdles titles, faced league-leading penalties and stereotypes, then fixed his technique with boxing gloves and embraced a "1% better daily" mindset. Now in Year 4, he’s playing the best football of his career right when it matters most — with a contract year looming and a Broncos team counting on him opposite Pat Surtain II. His secret? Stay present, play free, and keep grinding. Whether he gets a big extension this year or next, one thing’s clear: Riley Moss has earned his spot through pure grit.

FAQ

Why did Riley Moss run hurdles in high school?

He was naturally flexible and fast, and his coach encouraged him. He grew to love it — and it turned out to be perfect training for playing cornerback because both require hip mobility, speed, and rhythm.

Why did referees throw so many flags on Moss last year?

He led the NFL with 8 pass interference penalties. His teammates (including All-Pro Pat Surtain II) believe referees may subconsciously expect a white cornerback to get beaten by elite receivers, so they throw flags on tight coverage that might not get called on other players.

How did boxing gloves help Moss become a better cornerback?

The gloves made it physically impossible to grab receivers with his hands. This forced him to use better footwork and body positioning instead of panicking and holding — exactly what coaches want!

Will the Broncos sign Moss to a contract extension?

They want to, but they’re tight on salary cap space and have three other key players also in contract years. The better Moss plays this season, the stronger his negotiating position becomes.

What does "being where my feet are" mean?

It’s Moss’s way of saying focus on the present moment. Don’t worry about tomorrow’s contract, last week’s penalty, or next month’s game. Just give your best effort right here, right now — and the results will follow.

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