Mo Alie-Cox Bio
Mohamed Alie-Cox, born on September 19, 1993, in Alexandria, Virginia, is an American professional football tight end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 267 pounds, he plays one of the most physically demanding positions on the offensive side of the ball. Despite not having played organized football since his freshman year of high school, Alie-Cox signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2017, and has remained with the team for eight seasons. His unusual route from college basketball to the NFL has made him one of the more distinctive stories in professional football.
Early Life and Background
Mohamed Alie-Cox grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, where he attended Middleburg Academy for his high school education. During his early years, he was a multi-sport athlete who competed in both football and basketball, though his football playing time was limited to his freshman year of high school. As he progressed through school, basketball became his primary focus, and he developed the physical tools and competitive habits that would later help him transition to the NFL. His size, athleticism, and willingness to compete set him apart from peers at a young age.
Coming out of high school, Alie-Cox was a highly regarded basketball recruit, which earned him a scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University, commonly known as VCU. His decision to attend VCU allowed him to continue developing his game at the college level while maintaining the athletic profile that had drawn attention from basketball programs. Those formative years in Alexandria and at Middleburg Academy laid the foundation for the discipline he would later bring to professional football.
Path to Professional Football
At VCU, Alie-Cox became a four-year standout playing power forward for the VCU Rams, where he quickly became a fan favorite for his defensive presence and shot-blocking ability. Fans developed the “Mo Says No” chant in recognition of his rim protection. He started 103 games and totaled 1,092 points, 663 rebounds, 87 steals, 112 assists, and 255 blocks across 3,322 minutes of play. Over his final three college seasons, he averaged more than 25 minutes per game and was recognized on the Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team in 2015, 2016, and 2017, while earning Third-team All-Atlantic 10 honors in 2016. He also led VCU to its first-ever Atlantic 10 Conference championship, earning all-tournament team honors, and finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in field goal percentage.
Following his senior basketball season, Alie-Cox decided to pursue a professional career in football, despite not having played the sport organized since his freshman year of high school. His combination of size, athleticism, and basketball-honed competitiveness attracted the attention of NFL scouts. On April 21, 2017, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent, beginning one of the more unconventional transitions from college basketball to professional football in recent memory.
Mo Alie-Cox Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Alie-Cox’s first year with the Indianapolis Colts was marked by a difficult transition and a significant setback. After signing in April 2017, he was waived and placed on injured reserve on August 5, 2017, after suffering a lower leg injury. He was released with an injury settlement on August 11, 2017, before being re-signed to the Colts’ practice squad on October 7, 2017. On January 1, 2018, he signed a reserve and future contract with Indianapolis, securing his place with the organization heading into the next season.
In 2018, Alie-Cox experienced a series of roster moves before finally earning a stable role. He was waived on September 1, signed to the practice squad the next day, and promoted to the active roster on September 28, 2018. He made his NFL debut in Week 4 against the Houston Texans, recording a 17-yard reception. Later that season, on October 28, 2018, he caught his first career touchdown, a highlight-reel one-handed grab on a 26-yard reception from quarterback Andrew Luck during a 42–28 victory over the Oakland Raiders. On December 30, 2019, the Colts signed him to a one-year extension through 2020. In the 2019 season, he finished with eight receptions for 93 yards across 16 games and two starts.
NFL Breakthrough (2020–2021)
The 2020 season represented a turning point for Alie-Cox as he cemented his role in the Indianapolis offense. After being placed on the active and physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp on July 28, 2020, he was activated on August 21, 2020. On September 20, 2020, he posted five receptions for 111 receiving yards, helping the Colts defeat the Minnesota Vikings 28–11. He finished the 2020 campaign with 31 receptions for 394 yards and two touchdowns across 15 games and six starts, establishing himself as a reliable target in the passing game.
In 2021, the Colts placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Alie-Cox on March 17, and he signed the one-year offer on May 3. That season, he appeared in all 17 games with seven starts, recording 24 receptions for 316 yards and four touchdowns. His continued production gave the franchise confidence in his long-term value.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2022–Present)
On March 15, 2022, Mohamed Alie-Cox signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts, rewarding his growth and securing his future with the team. In the 2022 season, he played in all 17 games with 11 starts and posted 19 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns. The following year, in 2023, he continued his role as a rotational starter, finishing with 13 receptions for 161 yards and three touchdowns across 17 games and seven starts. On April 11, 2025, Alie-Cox re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts, extending his career with the franchise.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Alie-Cox’s career, his first NFL touchdown—a one-handed 26-yard catch from Andrew Luck against the Oakland Raiders on October 28, 2018—stands out as the play that announced his arrival in the league. His 111-yard performance against the Minnesota Vikings in September 2020 also marked his first true breakout game as a featured receiving threat. The three-year, $18 million extension signed in March 2022 further validated his journey from undrafted free agent to a long-term contributor for the Colts.
Mo Alie-Cox Career Wins
While Mohamed Alie-Cox is recognized primarily as a tight end rather than a win-statistics leader, his individual contributions have helped power the Indianapolis Colts offense across multiple seasons.
NFL Receiving Highlights
Alie-Cox’s first NFL reception came in Week 4 of the 2018 season against the Houston Texans, while his first career touchdown arrived later that year against the Oakland Raiders. Since then, he has produced consistent receiving seasons, including a career-high 31 receptions for 394 yards and two touchdowns in 2020, followed by 24 receptions for 316 yards and four touchdowns in 2021. Across his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, Alie-Cox has remained a dependable contributor in both the passing game and run-blocking schemes.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his NFL statistics, Alie-Cox’s college basketball résumé at VCU includes leading the Rams to their first-ever Atlantic 10 Conference championship, along with three Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team selections and a Third-team All-Atlantic 10 honor in 2016. These achievements helped establish the competitive foundation that fueled his later professional football success.
Mo Alie-Cox Family
Personal Life
Mohamed Alie-Cox was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, before attending Middleburg Academy and later Virginia Commonwealth University. Public information about his immediate family members and personal relationships has not been widely documented in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Mohamed Alie-Cox re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts on April 11, 2025, returning to the only NFL franchise he has ever known. Heading into the 2025 campaign, he remains a veteran presence in the tight end room, providing blocking support and red-zone receiving ability for the Indianapolis offense. His experience across multiple offensive schemes and quarterbacks gives the Colts a dependable option as they shape their 2025 season plans.
With the continuity of his re-signing early in the offseason, Alie-Cox is positioned to maintain his rotational starting role and contribute in both the passing and running games. His eight-season tenure with Indianapolis reflects a rare level of organizational loyalty, and the 2025 season offers him an opportunity to extend that journey while mentoring younger tight ends on the roster.