Riley Moss always dreamed of playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
He doesn’t want the dream to end just yet.
Putting off his NFL aspirations for now, Moss announced via Twitter on Wednesday that he’ll return to play one more season for the Iowa football team.
“I have more goals I would like to achieve and this team has more goals to achieve as well,” Moss tweeted. “This has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make, and I am confident that I have made the right one. Hawkeye Nation, thank you for the incredible support! Let’s get to work.”
Moss, a former Ankeny Centennial star, was named the Big Ten Conference defensive back of the year after helping the Hawkeyes to a 10-4 record. He earned first-team all-American honors from CBS Sports.
Moss’ decision was somewhat of a surprise, because he had already accepted an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl. It appeared that he was on a path to the NFL.
When contacted on Wednesday, Moss declined to elaborate on the feedback that he received from NFL scouts. He instead preferred to focus on his immediate future.
“I can’t wait for one last ride!” he said.
Moss has made 26 career starts at Iowa and has 10 career interceptions in four seasons. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns in Iowa’s 34-6 victory over Indiana in the season opener at Kinnick Stadium.
The Hawkeyes went on to record a program-record 25 interceptions en route to the Big Ten’s West Division title.
“What a ride the 2021 season has been,” Moss tweeted. “Through the highs and the lows I would never trade this team for anything. The memories we made will stick with me forever, on and off the field. The season did not finish the way we wanted but to have won 10 games and making it to the B1G Championship was very special.
“I have always dreamed of being a Hawkeye and being able to live out this dream every day has been incredibly special for both me and my family. That’s why after talking with my family and doing a lot of self-reflection, I have decided to stay and continue being a Hawkeye for the 2022 season.”