A new era awaits Kennesaw State football inside Fifth Third Stadium this fall but for Owl wide receiver Christian Moss, it is the next chapter in a unique journey.
A journey to the gridiron that began on the hardwood.
"I was always a basketball player; I grew up very skinny," Moss said. "From five years old to ninth grade that's what I played."
Entering his freshman year at North Cobb High School, less than five miles from the Kennesaw State campus, Moss' football career began.
"I felt like that was the sport that I was missing so I started training and taking it seriously – and it just took off."
Moss was drawn to football by watching it on TV and fell in love with the American sports phenomenon.
"Growing up I was a New York Giants fan, so I was always watching Odell Beckham Jr.," he said. "He really inspired me to play receiver and was someone I tried to emulate early on in high school."
After a growth spurt prior to his junior season, North Cobb's No. 13 gained four inches of height and began to attract attention at the next level.
As a senior, he tallied 900 yards receiving with nine touchdowns, securing an all-state honorable mention and first team all-region and all-county honors. ESPN ranked him as the No. 81 player in the state of Georgia and 132nd receiver in the nation.
His quick turnaround from football start-up player to high school standout led him to several Division I offers before he settled with the Virginia Tech Hokies.
After one season there, he came back home to Cobb County and transferred to Kennesaw State.
The Owls' move to FBS attracted the receiver back to an area he was familiar with – but a school he had only ever driven by.
"Kennesaw State is honestly one of the nicest campuses that I've ever seen. It took me by surprise because I had never stepped foot on campus prior to my visit, but I was immediately impressed," he explained.
