He accepted a scholarship from the University of Arkansas, where he was an All-American running back for head coach Frank Broyles and a teammate of Lance Alworth, Wayne Harris and Barry Switzer.
He helped his team win the Southwest Conference Co-Championship with a 9-2 record, which included the clinching touchdown run against Texas A&M University.
He was the Most Valuable Player in the 1960 Gator Bowl after scoring the winning touchdown, with a 19-yard run against Georgia Tech, still considered to be a storied play in school history.
Mooty was signed by the Dallas Cowboys after going undrafted in the 1960 NFL draft, because he was considered small to play running back in the National Football League.
He was a part of the franchise's inaugural season and was a backup safety in 7 games, after suffering a torn quadriceps in his left leg during training camp.