Shea’s Mbye impressing
URI sophomore fighting for starting spot
KINGSTON — The University of Rhode Island’s football team had its first scrimmage of training camp on Thursday morning at Meade Stadium, and former Shea Raider Momodou Mbye came into camp with a whole new mentality on display.
The Pawtucket native earned a spot in the Rams secondary after making the team as a walk-on in last season’s camp as a redshirt freshman. After a solid first season learning the position, Mbye was rewarded with a full ride last spring. He continued to adapt to the position and he worked in the offseason to integrate some his old offensive skills to his new position.
“It’s a great story,” URI coach Jim Fleming said. “When he first got here, it was like six days into camp, and we called him, and he was there within an hour with one duffel bag, straight walk-on. He’s just been getting better and better. He’s got a lot of confidence, he’s very long and he can catch the football.
“He’s had a ridiculous amount of picks in the first part of camp. We'd like to keep the faucet open and keep taking advantage of it. It’s a great story, local Pawtucket kid, comes in earn a scholarship. He’s got a bright future.”
“I’m a ball hawk now. No more tipping the ball and trying to get pass breaks – everything that comes my way has got to be a pick. That’s what I’m aiming for.” – URI’s Momodou Mbye
Mbye walked on to the URI team last season, won a starting spot at corner back. He played in 11 games and led the team with seven pass breakups. He doubled his 2016 interception total in the first scrimmage, picking off two passes. He plans on being a pain in the neck to receivers and quarterbacks all season.
“I’m trying to attack every ball,” Mbye said. “I’ve worked with Ball Hawks, and that’s the mindset I have now. I’m a ball hawk now. No more tipping the ball and trying to get pass breaks – everything that comes my way has got to be a pick. That’s what I’m aiming for.”
The Ball Hawk classes take place at Moses Brown School in Providence a few times a week, and are designed for defensive backs and receivers.
“I played DB [at Shea],” Mbye said. “But my mindset was offense. I was a running back.”
“I feel like I know a lot more now,” Mbye said of having a year of cornerback experience. “I’m more comfortable with the position. Last year, I was a boundary corner, which is the short side of the field. Now, I’ve transferred to the field side. I have more space and I can try and use my speed to my advantage and watch everything that is going on. It’s a good way to oversee everything.”
He was rewarded with a scholarship in the spring and has continued to improve his craft going into his second year.
“It was great,” Mbye said of receiving the scholarship. “As soon as I got here, I was ready to work. I was always working; I was trying to be the best one out there. I was out running after practice, trying to make it.”
“I also worked with quarterback guru coach Todd Krueger,” Mbye said. “I play receiver when I go to him, play [defensive back] sometimes, it’s all about working with my hands.”
“I almost feel like I’m a receiver on the defensive side,” Mbye said. “When the ball comes I just play it like a receiver, put my hands up and make a good play.”