Raheem Mostert
Dominque Raheem Mostert is an American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at Purdue.
Mostert attended New Smyrna Beach High School in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where he played football and competed in track and field. Mostert led New Smyrna Beach to two playoff berths. After his senior season, he moved on to Purdue University.
In his first collegiate season, he set a school record as he averaged 33.5 yards a return, capped off with a 99-yard touchdown return in the bowl game. He finished the season with seven returns of 39 or more yards, including an 81-yarder at Indiana and a 74-yarder at Wisconsin. Against the Badgers, he racked up 206 yards on five kickoff returns to break 42-year-old school records for total yardage and average yards per return.
High school career
Mostert attended New Smyrna Beach High School, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where he was a member of the football and track & field teams. As a football player under coach Lance Jenkins, he returned nine kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns, in addition to having 39 receptions for 723 yards and four touchdowns as a senior. He also recorded 81 tackles on defense. As a participant in the 2010 Central Florida All-Star Game, he was named MVP after hauling in three passes for nearly 100 yards and returning a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. He also made an appearance in the Florida North Vs. South football game.Track and field
As a track athlete under coach Brendan Robinson, Mostert was a standout sprinter, hurdler, and jumper. He won the 2010 FHSAA 3A District 6 title in the 300-meter hurdles. At the 2011 FHSAA 3A Outdoor State Finals, he finished first in the 100 meters, with a time of 10.68 seconds, and placed fourth in the 300-meter hurdles, with a personal-best time of 37.95 seconds.He was a member of the Purdue track team. He was ranked by NFL.com as the fastest college football player in the NCAA, with only Oklahoma State wide receiver Tyreek Hill possessing a faster 100m time. He took gold in both the 60 meters and 200 meters at the 2014 Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships. He qualified for the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 100 meters, 200 meters and as a member of 4x100-meter relay squad.
Recruiting
Mostert committed to Purdue University on January 14, 2011. He chose Purdue over football scholarships from Illinois University, Indiana University, Marshall University, the United States Naval Academy, Rutgers University, the University of Miami, the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Central Florida, and the Wake Forest University.College career
Mostert attended and played college football at Purdue from 2011–2014. In his first collegiate season in 2011, he set a school record as he averaged 33.5 yards a return, capped off with a 99-yard touchdown return in the 2011 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against Western Michigan. He finished the season with seven returns of 39 or more yards, including an 81-yarder at Indiana and a 74-yarder at Wisconsin. Against the Badgers, he racked up 206 yards on five kickoff returns to break 42-year-old school records for total yardage and average yards per return in a single game. For his efforts against Wisconsin, he was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, becoming the first Purdue freshman to do it since Rob Henry in October 2010. His 837 kickoff return yards are the second best in school history for a single season. He is now ranked 13th on Purdue's career kickoff return yards.In May 2012, Mostert was named to the preseason Jet Award watch list, an award given to the top return specialist in the NCAA. During spring practice, Mostert was named a captain for the 2012 season. In the 2012 season, he finished with 16 carries for 85 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to go along with 18 kick returns for 463 net yards. In the 2013 season, he finished with 11 carries for 37 rushing yards to go along with 11 kick returns for 258 net yards and a return touchdown, which was a 100-yarder against Penn State. His role expanded in the 2014 season. He finished with 93 carries for 529 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with 34 kick returns for 731 net return yards.
Collegiate statistics
Source:Professional career
Philadelphia Eagles
After going undrafted during the 2015 NFL Draft, Mostert signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. Mostert had an excellent preseason; between his 157 rushing yards and 191 receiving yards, totaling for 351 yards, he led the NFL in yards from the line of scrimmage in the preseason. He also added in five kick returns for 162 yards. Despite this effort, he was ultimately cut on September 4, 2015, in preparation for the Eagles having to cut their roster down to 53.On September 6, 2015, Mostert was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad.
Miami Dolphins
On September 14, 2015, The Miami Dolphins signed Mostert off the Eagles practice squad. Mostert returned two kicks for 57 yards for the Dolphins during Week 2. On October 13, 2015, he was released by the Dolphins in hopes of moving him down to practice squad. Mostert did not clear waivers and was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens the following day.Baltimore Ravens
On October 14, 2015, Mostert was signed by the Baltimore Ravens after losing third-string running back, Lorenzo Taliaferro to a season-ending foot injury. Mostert returned five kicks for 164 yards in seven games with the Ravens. On December 15, 2015, Mostert was cut by the Ravens in hopes of putting him on practice squad; however, Mostert did not clear waivers and was placed on the Browns 53-man roster.Cleveland Browns
On December 16, 2015, Mostert was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns. He was named the starting kick returner for the Browns final three games, where he returned 12 kicks for 309 yards.Mostert signed the Browns' one-year tender offer on March 7, 2016. On September 4, 2016, he was waived by the Browns to make room for players claimed off waivers.
New York Jets
On September 6, 2016, Mostert was signed to the New York Jets practice squad, but was released six days later.Chicago Bears
On September 13, 2016, Mostert was signed to the Bears' practice squad. On September 21, he was elevated to the active roster. He appeared in two games with the Bears in the 2016 season. He was released on October 3, 2016 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was released by the Bears on November 24, 2016.San Francisco 49ers
2016 season
On November 28, 2016, Mostert was signed to the 49ers' practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 31, 2016. He played in the Week 17 regular season finale against the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the 2016 season with 68 return yards and six rushing yards on one carry.2017 season
On November 29, 2017, Mostert was placed on injured reserve. He finished the 2017 season with six carries for 30 rushing yards and 83 return yards in 11 games.2018 season
Mostert played very sparingly in the first five games of the 2018 season. However, his role increased starting in Week 6. Against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, he had 12 carries for 87 yards in the 33–30 loss. He added 59 rushing yards in the following game against the Los Angeles Rams. During Week 9 of the regular season against the Oakland Raiders on Thursday Night Football, Mostert scored his first NFL touchdown on a 52-yard rush in the third quarter. However, he fractured his forearm during the game. He was placed on injured reserve on November 2, 2018. Overall, Mostert finished the 2018 season with 34 carries for 261 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.2019 season
On March 15, 2019, Mostert signed a three-year contract extension with the 49ers.Mostert scored his first touchdown of the season on a 39-yard reception from Jimmy Garoppolo during a Week 2 41–17 road victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. During Week 8, he scored his first rushing touchdown on a 41-yard rush during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers as the 49ers won by a score of 51–13. During Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens, Mostert finished with 146 rushing yards, including a 40-yard touchdown as the 49ers lost 17–20. During a narrow Week 14 48-46 road victory over the New Orleans Saints, he rushed 10 times for 69 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 40 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown pass thrown by wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
Mostert finished the 2019 season with 772 rushing yards and eight touchdowns along with 14 receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns.
The 49ers began the postseason with a 27-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round, where Mostert rushed 12 times for 58 yards and recovered a fumble lost by punt returner Marcus Sherels before leaving the game due to a calf injury. Mostert returned from the injury in the 37–20 NFC Championship Game victory over the Green Bay Packers with 29 carries for a franchise postseason record of 220 yards and four rushing touchdowns. It was the second-most rushing yards in NFL postseason history to Eric Dickerson's 248 in 1986. In Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs, he rushed 12 times for 58 yards and a touchdown during the 31–20 loss.
2020 season
On July 8, 2020, Mostert requested a trade from the 49ers. He rescinded his request after securing a restructured contract with the 49ers on July 27.NFL statistics
Regular season
Postseason
Personal life
Growing up in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, known as the "shark-bite capital of the world," Mostert often surfed in the Atlantic Ocean. He married Devon Beckwith on March 3, 2017. Their first child, Gunnar Grey, was born in June 2018.Mostert is an advocate for ocean conservancy and melanoma awareness. He keeps a list of the teams that cut him before he signed with San Francisco and looks at it for motivation before every 49ers game.