It had been months since former Castleton University running back Moses Harris last played on a football field in a series of All-Star games hoping to get noticed by professional scouts.

The opportunity to continue playing football past college is one not many receive.

Harris just wanted a chance.

In late August, that chance arrived when his phone rang mid-training session.

On the other end of the line was a coach inviting him to play in France for the Dauphins de Nice. The league is not as high-caliber as the NFL, but certainly looked at by scouts.

He was going overseas to once again play the game he loves.

“When I found out, I screamed out loud and I prayed and thanked god for blessing me yet again,” said Harris with a smile.

This journey has been a long and bumpy one for Harris and it’s been something he has put countless hours into for several years of his life.

These long hours of work are where his motto of “Slow Grind” come from.

“It’s a phrase I created in the gym at 3 a.m. with my boy Dyante. I said to him, ‘We’ve been training day in and day out, this has been a slow grind.’ Slow grind means you aren’t going to get to where you want to be in a day or two, but if you keep at it and are consistent towards your goals, it will happen all in timing,” he said.

Harris is the all-time leading rusher in CU history with 3,838 yards. He also scored 49 total touchdowns and was named MVP in 2019. For a cherry on top he gathered All-Conference honors three times.

Harris isn’t the only one who recognizes how his hard work has gotten him this new opportunity.

His former running back’s coach Casey McDonnell points out how much Harris influenced others through his slow grind.

“Moe became an example for all others to follow. His work ethic combined with a really reserved demeanor really showed his teammates that it’s less about what you say and more about what you do. Seeing this impact for our program on a daily basis is certainly missed,” McDonnell said.

Harris’s best-friend and teammate, Castleton wide receiver Tony Martinez, is just one of the many lives he has touched at Castleton.

“I’ll forever cherish the hours spent in the weight room with him and on the football field. I’m super happy that he finally is getting a chance to show off his talents and hard work at the professional level,” said Martinez gleaming with pride.

The influence not only has reached his teammates, but fans that have had the opportunity to look up to him as well. Castleton senior Mikayla Sullivan, a long-time supporter of Harris, believes his impact goes way beyond all of the rushing records and awards.

“Football brought other opportunities to him. He was able to be a pen pal to a boy named Jimmy and be a mentor to him from many different states apart. He would come all the way up to Castleton just to watch him play and his family still is following his career,” Sullivan said.

With the new chapter beginning for this CU football legend, brings a chance for him to continue to improve as a person not just a player.

“I can’t wait to see him continue to grow and develop both on and off the field. This is an exciting new experience for him that a lot of us are excited to see him pursue,” McDonnell said.

“He loves this sport a great deal, but I’m super excited for him to go and see different cultures and see the world. Getting out of his comfort zone is going to make many memories. He is going to be able to make something amazing for himself,” said Sullivan with a huge grin.

Harris’s journey is set to begin in early November where he will take a 10-hour plan ride from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania overseas to France with just a few goals in mind.

“The journey has been tough, but it’s prepared me for the biggest challenge of my career. No matter what happens, I plan to be the hardest worker out there. I may not be the biggest or the fastest, but I refuse to be outworked,” Harris said.