For the first time since 2014, the University of Alabama did not have a dominant presence at inside linebacker to hold everyone accountable last season.
Regardless of the year he had, Lyndell “Mack” Wilson did not live up to the expectations set before him.
Despite both years, the Crimson Tide has usually carried a player at the position that creates a bond among teammates and gets others on the same page. The individual would make sure each player was on their assignment and out of fear of disappointing the leader, others made it a priority to be in pocket and make plays.
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While sheer leadership at linebacker was a weakness in 2018, the return of junior Dylan Moses intends on not letting it on his watch for next fall.
Listed at 6’3″ and 233 pounds, the five-star from Louisiana has Alabama’s system in order and is someone who takes film study seriously.
He led the Tide in tackles (86) last year and collected 10 stops for loss with 3.5 sacks – en route to being a Butkus Award finalist. When head coach Nick Saban had Rolando McClain, Dont’a Hightower and C.J. Mosley during the beginning of his time at Alabama, the trio had a way of demanding excellence from everyone on the roster.
Even with guys like Reggie Ragland, Reuben Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans, exceptional play was required or you were handled accordingly by the leaders.
Moses has this mindset and in Monday’s airing of In My Own Words, Stephen Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine goes into why he holds the key to a national championship.
You can listen to the audio version of the podcast on SoundCloud.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
