Riley Moss Bio
Riley Moss (born March 3, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 194 pounds, he plays on the defensive side of the ball and has quickly developed into a key member of Denver’s secondary. Moss played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he earned multiple All-Big Ten honors before entering the NFL.
Selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, Moss has continued to grow into his role as a starting cornerback. His combination of size, ball skills, and football intelligence has positioned him as a reliable contributor in the Broncos’ defensive backfield heading into his third professional season.
Early Life and Background
Riley Moss was born on March 3, 2000, in Ankeny, Iowa, United States. He grew up in Ankeny, a suburb of Des Moines, where he developed an early passion for athletics. Moss attended Ankeny Centennial High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete participating in both football and track and field.
During his high school career, Moss showed promise as a two-way player. As a senior, he caught six passes for 167 yards and one touchdown on offense while recording 29 tackles and one interception on defense. His versatility and athleticism attracted college attention, and he originally committed to play college football at North Dakota State entering his senior season.
After receiving a late offer from the University of Iowa, Moss decommitted from North Dakota State and chose to play for the in-state Hawkeyes. This decision would prove pivotal in shaping his collegiate career and setting the stage for his future professional success.
Path to Professional Football
Moss joined the Iowa Hawkeyes as a blue-shirt recruit, a designation that delayed his enrollment but preserved a future scholarship opportunity. He was awarded a scholarship after the end of his freshman season, a milestone that reflected both his on-field production and his commitment to the program.
Early in his college career, Moss earned the Big Ten Conference freshman of the week honor after intercepting two passes against Minnesota. This performance announced his arrival as a playmaker in the Hawkeyes’ secondary and set the tone for his continued development at the collegiate level.
As Moss progressed through the Iowa program, his role expanded and his statistics improved. By his junior and senior seasons, he had established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the Big Ten Conference, earning multiple All-Big Ten selections. His consistent play and leadership in the Hawkeyes’ defensive backfield ultimately positioned him as a top prospect for the 2023 NFL draft.
Riley Moss Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Moss began his collegiate career at the University of Iowa in 2019, joining the program as a blue-shirt recruit before earning his scholarship following his freshman year. As a sophomore, he continued to develop within the Hawkeyes’ defense, contributing on special teams and in rotational roles in the secondary.
During his junior season, Moss recorded 43 tackles with four passes broken up and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. His performance that year earned him honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition. The following season, Moss built on this momentum, intercepting two passes and returning both for touchdowns in the opening game against Indiana.
Iowa Hawkeyes Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Moss’s junior campaign in 2021 marked a breakthrough moment in his collegiate career. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, establishing himself as one of the premier cover corners in the conference. His production that season reflected his growth in both technique and confidence at the collegiate level.
As a senior in 2022, Moss again earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition, becoming a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He continued to be a ball-hawking presence in the Hawkeyes’ secondary, recording multiple interceptions and contributing significantly to Iowa’s defensive efforts. His senior season was interrupted by a torn posterior cruciate ligament suffered in Iowa’s 23–20 win over fourth-ranked Penn State, causing him to miss three games, but he remained a focal point of the defense when healthy.
Moss’s two consecutive first-team All-Big Ten selections cemented his reputation as one of the top defensive backs in college football and significantly boosted his draft stock heading into the 2023 NFL draft.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
Moss was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round, 83rd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games, gaining valuable experience while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game. His rookie season provided a foundation for his continued development within the Broncos’ defensive scheme.
Prior to the 2024 season, Moss was named the Broncos’ second starting cornerback opposite Patrick Surtain II. He started his first game in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, becoming the first white player to start at the cornerback position in an NFL game since Jason Sehorn in 2003. In the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ Week 3 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Moss forced a fumble off tight end Cade Otton, which safety Brandon Jones recovered and returned for 34 yards.
In Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders of the 2024 season, Moss recorded his first career interception off a pass from Gardner Minshew, becoming the first white cornerback to record an interception since Sehorn in 2002. In Week 15 of the 2025 season against the Green Bay Packers, Moss intercepted a tipped pass thrown by Jordan Love to intended target Dontayvion Wicks, recording his second career interception.
Playing Style and Strengths
Moss brings a physical, technically sound approach to the cornerback position. At 6 feet tall and 194 pounds, he has the size to match up with larger NFL receivers while maintaining the agility needed to stay with quicker pass catchers. His ball skills, demonstrated by his multiple interceptions and forced fumbles, are among his most notable attributes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Moss has already authored several memorable moments in his young NFL career, including his historic Week 1 start in 2024 and his first career interception in Week 5 of that same season. His forced fumble against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 of 2024 highlighted his willingness as a run defender and tackler. These milestones underscore his growing impact within the Broncos’ defense.
Riley Moss Career Wins
As a cornerback, Riley Moss’s contributions are measured through defensive statistics and team success rather than traditional win totals. His individual milestones include multiple interceptions and a forced fumble in his first two NFL seasons, alongside two first-team All-Big Ten selections at the collegiate level.
College Career Highlights
During his time at Iowa, Moss earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in both 2021 and 2022, along with the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award in 2021. He recorded multiple interceptions across his junior and senior seasons, including two pick-sixes in a single game against Indiana. These performances established him as one of the top defensive backs in Iowa’s recent history.
Other Performances
Moss’s early NFL career has been highlighted by steady defensive contributions and milestone plays rather than statistical awards. His first career interception in 2024 and his second interception in 2025 reflect his continued development and ability to impact games in the passing game.
Riley Moss Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Riley Moss was raised in Ankeny, Iowa, where he grew up with his family before attending the University of Iowa. Public information regarding his parents and immediate family members is limited, and details about his personal relationships have not been widely disclosed.
Personal Life
Moss resides in the Denver, Colorado area as a member of the Denver Broncos. He maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional football career. Beyond his athletic pursuits, Moss is known for his dedication to his craft and his commitment to continuous improvement as a professional cornerback.
2025 Season Performance
Riley Moss entered the 2025 NFL season as a starting cornerback for the Denver Broncos, continuing his role opposite star cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Building on the foundation established during the 2024 season, Moss has remained a key piece of Denver’s secondary and a reliable contributor in pass coverage.
In Week 15 of the 2025 season against the Green Bay Packers, Moss recorded his second career interception, intercepting a tipped pass from Jordan Love intended for Dontayvion Wicks. This play added to his growing highlight reel and demonstrated his continued ability to make impactful plays on the ball.
As the 2025 season progresses, Moss’s role within the Broncos’ defense is expected to continue expanding. His combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills positions him as a long-term starter in Denver’s secondary. With continued development and consistency, Moss is poised to remain a fixture in the Broncos’ defensive backfield for seasons to come.