He’s definitely kept the media on its toes all spring.
In losing much experience to the upcoming NFL Draft, Alabama head coach Nick Saban has moved his experiments from offensive line and secondary to the linebacking core.
According to C.J. Dew of Touchdown Alabama Magazine, both Rashaan Evans and five-star freshman Dylan Moses practiced with outside linebackers on Wednesday under the guidance of coach Tosh Lupoi.
True Freshman linebacker Dylan Moses is an absolute #monster. pic.twitter.com/zCcJQ6K5Co
— Cj Dew (@dewthedewby) April 12, 2017
Both guys have worked at inside ‘backer’ throughout spring ball. For Saban, the idea is finding ways to generate constant pressure from all angles during the 2017 college football season.
Evans, a senior, totaled 53 tackles – including 4.5 for loss and four sacks in 2016. He added six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a forced fumble to his credit, while leading the charge on a critical goal line stand against Florida in the Southeastern Conference title game.
#Alabama Linebackers going through drills. pic.twitter.com/T54z0extJY
— Cj Dew (@dewthedewby) April 12, 2017
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 234 pounds, Moses has turned heads this semester.
The Baton Rouge, La., native has speed, power and strong instincts for a true freshman. An alumnus of IMG Academy, Moses tallied 220 tackles and five sacks in his tenure. He won the Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker) in 2016, following a season in which he recorded 116 total tackles and two sacks.
As always, this is nothing to overreact to.
Saban intends on putting the best players on the field and in doing so, the experimentation has to come out. Will Evans and Moses both be edge rushers in the fall? Probably not. However, in its desire to reach 40-plus sacks for a third straight year – some shifting could possibly be arranged.
The Crimson Tide will scrimmage a second time on Friday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
