Senior safety Mo Conteh didn't start playing football until his senior year of high school.
Rocket Spotlight on Mo Conteh
4/2/2026 8:49:00 AM | Football
On switching from basketball to football, being motivated by the loss of his father and what he thinks his teammates say about him
Mo Conteh is a senior safety from Columbus, Ohio. He joins the Rockets after playing four seasons at Ohio Dominican, a Division II school in Columbus. Conteh was a basketball player in high school, and didn't play football until his senior year at Eastmoor Academy in Columbus.
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On his family and recently losing his father
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I have a little brother and an older sister. My father passed away last July. He passed away on a trip to Sierra Leone, where he's from. He had businesses over there, so he would make regular trips there. I didn't get to talk to him before he passed. It was hard to manage at first. But I have a son. So I know the drive that my father put in me, he would want me to do it for my young one. He wouldn't want me to be down on myself knowing I have so many things available to me that'll get me to where I need to be at -- college football, school and fatherhood.
On his late start in football
In high school, I only competed one year in football, which was my senior season. Before that, I didn't want to play football at all. I had hoop dreams, but it didn't turn out too well. My sophomore year, I broke my ankle the first game of the season so I had to sit that season out. And then my junior year was the COVID year, so we didn't have a season. My senior year I switched to football. I came to the realization that I would have to choose one sport, and I realized I wasn't going to get anywhere with basketball. I'm glad that I came to that realization because football has actually been good for me. I really only had my senior year to showcase my talents in football, and I made the best of it.
On how he made the switch from basketball to football
The football coach (Jim Miranda) was also my teacher. While I was in class I told him I would love to join the football team and he gave me an opportunity. He was the basketball coach and the football coach so it was a pretty simple conversation. He understood that I just wanted to do one sport.
On "re-learning" the sport of football
Before my senior year, the last time I played football was in eighth grade, so I was maybe 13 years old. It was a drastic difference for me, going into high school, how far behind I was and seeing how big those dudes were. I had to catch up, but it wasn't a bad process at all.
On why he chose to play on defense
I played cornerback and receiver in high school. I started off as a cornerback, but we had to play both sides of the ball. I also played a little bit of running back, but I wasn't really a big offensive guy. I was more on the defensive side ever since I played Little League football because I just love the initial contact of just hitting someone and being able to read my keys, communicating to my back end, getting everybody aligned, playing fast and physical.
On what his goals were in high school
My thought process was to get to college. I knew I wanted to play football at the collegiate level so I had to mature my discipline to be able to take the steps that I needed to take. Knowing I would only have one year under my belt, I had to stand out in a different way. I felt like I did the best I could.
On why he chose Ohio Dominican coming out of high school
I picked up a couple of other offers, a couple PWOs (preferred walk-on) but I chose Ohio Dominican to start my collegiate career. I felt like it was the best decision for me. I'm glad I did. I'm thankful for Ohio Dominican. It helped get me where I'm at now.
On why he decided to transfer to Toledo
I was really grateful for the opportunity that I had at Ohio Dominican, but I just felt like I needed to take my game to the next level for me to reach my goals. I had to part ways and find a program that could help me get to the next level. Luckily, the coaches here loved who I was as a person, loved my film and gave me the opportunity to come to Toledo. The coaches have great chemistry, they have great history with each other, a winning history. Toledo is also close to home, easier for my family to come up to (from Columbus). I also have family from Cleveland that comes to my games. So everything just played its part.
On his impressions of Toledo Football
The culture up here is amazing. The football team is amazing. It's all about buying in. I believe when you buy in, everything will play its part and turn out how it's supposed to turn out. I'm just ready for what's next.
On his goals for 2026
I want to become a starter. I want to be a MAC champion. I want to beat BG, of course. I want to be able to take myself to the next level, to get to Pro Day, maybe the NFL Combine, and take steps that I need to take to get to those levels.
On life after football
I should be graduating in the fall with a degree in individualized studies. My interest lies in supply chain management. I'd like to get into the logistics part of business.
On how his teammates would describe him
They would say Mo is a calm and collected kid. He shows up. He's a hard worker. He's all about having fun at the end of the day. You always see Mo with a smile on his face. He doesn't let negativity get to him. He stays positive about everything.
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On his family and recently losing his father
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I have a little brother and an older sister. My father passed away last July. He passed away on a trip to Sierra Leone, where he's from. He had businesses over there, so he would make regular trips there. I didn't get to talk to him before he passed. It was hard to manage at first. But I have a son. So I know the drive that my father put in me, he would want me to do it for my young one. He wouldn't want me to be down on myself knowing I have so many things available to me that'll get me to where I need to be at -- college football, school and fatherhood.
On his late start in football
In high school, I only competed one year in football, which was my senior season. Before that, I didn't want to play football at all. I had hoop dreams, but it didn't turn out too well. My sophomore year, I broke my ankle the first game of the season so I had to sit that season out. And then my junior year was the COVID year, so we didn't have a season. My senior year I switched to football. I came to the realization that I would have to choose one sport, and I realized I wasn't going to get anywhere with basketball. I'm glad that I came to that realization because football has actually been good for me. I really only had my senior year to showcase my talents in football, and I made the best of it.
On how he made the switch from basketball to football
The football coach (Jim Miranda) was also my teacher. While I was in class I told him I would love to join the football team and he gave me an opportunity. He was the basketball coach and the football coach so it was a pretty simple conversation. He understood that I just wanted to do one sport.
On "re-learning" the sport of football
Before my senior year, the last time I played football was in eighth grade, so I was maybe 13 years old. It was a drastic difference for me, going into high school, how far behind I was and seeing how big those dudes were. I had to catch up, but it wasn't a bad process at all.
On why he chose to play on defense
I played cornerback and receiver in high school. I started off as a cornerback, but we had to play both sides of the ball. I also played a little bit of running back, but I wasn't really a big offensive guy. I was more on the defensive side ever since I played Little League football because I just love the initial contact of just hitting someone and being able to read my keys, communicating to my back end, getting everybody aligned, playing fast and physical.
On what his goals were in high school
My thought process was to get to college. I knew I wanted to play football at the collegiate level so I had to mature my discipline to be able to take the steps that I needed to take. Knowing I would only have one year under my belt, I had to stand out in a different way. I felt like I did the best I could.
On why he chose Ohio Dominican coming out of high school
I picked up a couple of other offers, a couple PWOs (preferred walk-on) but I chose Ohio Dominican to start my collegiate career. I felt like it was the best decision for me. I'm glad I did. I'm thankful for Ohio Dominican. It helped get me where I'm at now.
On why he decided to transfer to Toledo
I was really grateful for the opportunity that I had at Ohio Dominican, but I just felt like I needed to take my game to the next level for me to reach my goals. I had to part ways and find a program that could help me get to the next level. Luckily, the coaches here loved who I was as a person, loved my film and gave me the opportunity to come to Toledo. The coaches have great chemistry, they have great history with each other, a winning history. Toledo is also close to home, easier for my family to come up to (from Columbus). I also have family from Cleveland that comes to my games. So everything just played its part.
On his impressions of Toledo Football
The culture up here is amazing. The football team is amazing. It's all about buying in. I believe when you buy in, everything will play its part and turn out how it's supposed to turn out. I'm just ready for what's next.
On his goals for 2026
I want to become a starter. I want to be a MAC champion. I want to beat BG, of course. I want to be able to take myself to the next level, to get to Pro Day, maybe the NFL Combine, and take steps that I need to take to get to those levels.
On life after football
I should be graduating in the fall with a degree in individualized studies. My interest lies in supply chain management. I'd like to get into the logistics part of business.
On how his teammates would describe him
They would say Mo is a calm and collected kid. He shows up. He's a hard worker. He's all about having fun at the end of the day. You always see Mo with a smile on his face. He doesn't let negativity get to him. He stays positive about everything.
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