Carson Cunningham
Sports Writer
Most thought it would be the last chance to see Mocco competing in OSU colors. That is no longer the case. Saturday, Mocco will appear under the lights of Boone Pickens Stadium as a member of the Oklahoma State football team.
Mocco began practicing with the football team this summer after learning he would be eligible to play collegiate football. Mocco said the opportunity was one he couldn’t pass up.
“I kind of wanted to play, and when I found out it was available, and the coaches were going to let me do it, I figured it would be a good opportunity,” Mocco said. “I wouldn’t want to waste it.”
While Mocco dominated on the wrestling mat during his career at OSU, his time on the football field has mostly been a learning experience. And Mocco has a lot of learning to do, considering the last time he strapped on the pads was in the third grade.
“I think I have a lot to learn in football,” Mocco said. “My mental aspect is trying to be like a sponge and soak in as much stuff as I can.”
Most of the learning Mocco has done involves his new position as a defensive tackler. A big adjustment Mocco had to deal with is 21 other people being on the field at the same time rather than the one-on-one battle wrestling presents. The coaching staff has helped Mocco in making his transition to football.
“The coaches have been awesome, really spending a lot of time with me and helping me pick it up because I’m really raw,” Mocco said. “They helped me out a lot.”
The coaches aren’t the only ones who have lent a helping hand to Mocco. Senior defensive end Darnell Smith has become a mentor to the former heavyweight.
“Darnell Smith has been helpful,” Mocco said. “(He) spent a lot of time with me just going over stuff after practice. He’s really helped me out a lot.”
Mocco got to know OSU’s offensive linemen before he ever butted heads with them on the football field. Last year, wrestling coach John Smith invited several linemen to train with Mocco after a loss to fierce rival Kole Conrad from Minnesota.
The idea was to get Mocco used to wrestling larger foes. Little did Mocco know, he was wrestling future teammates. Sophomore offensive lineman David Washington was one of those who wrestled Mocco.
“We had to wrestle him last spring, so we were on his turf, so we always wondered what it would be like if he got to come on our field and go after him,” Washington said. “Now it’s a little fun trying to help him with his technique.”
Now that Mocco is the one on foreign territory, he is experiencing what the offensive line went through.
“It’s a totally different atmosphere,” Mocco said. “It kind of let me see what those guys were going through when they came (to the wrestling room). It helped me out a lot, it helped the other heavyweights and hopefully it helped the football players out.”
While Mocco is still learning the game of football, one might think there’s no chance he’ll see the field Saturday. However, coach Mike Gundy said he will play.
“He’s done very well for a guy that’s just started playing football a month ago, and we’re looking forward to getting him in the game and seeing what he can do,” Gundy said.
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