About two and a half years ago, the definition of Alabama football and character approached yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine at a football camp in Theodore, Ala.
While the sun burned my face in the third week of June, the mother of two talented young men greeted me with a smile and much appreciation.
The eldest of her sons was a household name under Nick Saban and someone that has become a leader in the National Football League.
The elder attracted Tide fans; however, it was the younger that drew my attention.
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For Jamey Mosley, the road to play for the Crimson Tide and his journey to the NFL has been anything but easy.
Despite hailing from the same recruiting hotbed that produced his brother – C.J. Mosley — along with T.J. Yeldon, Ryan Anderson, AJ McCarron, Mark Barron and Julio Jones among others, the man that goes by “Jame Flame” on Twitter did not arrive on scholarship.
His passion to be where “Legends Are Made” brought him as a walk-on in 2014.
Competing against the likes of physical offensive linemen, versatile running backs and elite receivers, combined with training under the hardest working coach in conditioning (Scott Cochran), morphed Mosely into a man.
He did not see a lot of playing time at outside linebacker after earning his scholarship in the summer of 2016; nevertheless, the 2017 season gave Mosley an opportunity to show fans and the coaching staff his value as a teammate and leader.
With linebackers dropping via injuries, Mosley saw action in 13 games and posted 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback pressures and one pass breakup. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, he assisted Alabama’s defense to a College Football Playoff National Championship.
When his eyes locked with those of Anfernee Jennings and Terrell Lewis – following the win versus Georgia – it put all things into perspective on why Mosley was needed at Alabama.
“Being around that coaching staff and academic staff for five years before my recruitment, set the bar really high for me when my recruiting started,” Mosley said.
“Even when other offers started to roll in for me from other schools, I knew deep down that Alabama was the place for me no matter if I received an offer or not. People actually thought I was crazy for going there, but I knew that this place was not only going to make me a great football player but most importantly make me a better man.”
He played both quarterback and linebacker at Theodore High School and for Mosley, it is his thirst for knowledge in processing both sides of the ball that should stand out to NFL teams.
“I have played this game since I was 4-years-old,” he said.
“I always wanted to learn more. For me, my thinking and football instincts are my best assets on the field of play. I put a lot into knowing my opponent inside and out, and knowing my job as well as others around me, so we can operate quickly and more efficiently as a unit.”
In reflecting back to the media day of the Orange Bowl, sophomore linebacker Eyabi Anoma spoke candidly about his former teammate and how he’s the “glue guy” at the position.
“I learned so much from being around Jamey,” Anoma said of Mosley.
“Just his knowledge of the game and understanding where everyone is supposed to be and why they are supposed to be there… That is what I want to learn. He’s able to tell defensive backs and defensive linemen what to do, while I’m just focused on the quarterback. It fascinates me.”
The 6-foot-5 specimen has sat in on many sermons from his head coach, but the ability to evaluate every detail and being strong in the face of adversity both hit home.
“You don’t deviate from the plan that got you to where you are, instead you apply everything that you learned to get you there,” Mosley said in channeling Nick Saban.
“That detail may not seem important in the moment, but you won’t know it’s a detriment until it comes to bite you in the butt. Another lesson is perseverance. Life is not easy, you will go through some things, but when you make it out it is one of the greatest joys you will ever feel.”
Regardless of what was he not able to do at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Mosley showed professional scouts and NFL personnel his skill set at Pro Day on March 19. In watching a determined individual, he impressed teams with the fluidity of his hips, ball skills, edge-bending techniques and powerful hands. He was clocked in the 4.7s in terms of his 40-time and turned in 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench.
Mosley’s broad jump of 9’10” was among the best and his family was there to see it all.
Jamey Mosley getting to the ? pic.twitter.com/wiK8SlKZ8W
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 19, 2019
Jamey Mosley with the hands in high-pointing passes. He got that from C.J. Just kidding, this is @IAm_JameFlame’s moment. pic.twitter.com/4hSrSeO1lL
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 19, 2019
Jamey Mosley ain’t playing around with this. pic.twitter.com/vvjzwkPV9S
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 19, 2019
“I just wanted to show teams I can play multiple positions on defense, and that I will be a positive asset to anyone in their locker room,” Mosley said.
Upon hugging Tracy Mosley (mother of Jamey and C.J.) at the conclusion of C.J.’s camp, she told me that Jamey’s time has come. She knew all too well about C.J.’s impact at Alabama; however, a mother’s intuition knows when her son will find his way to be special.
After watching her eldest get taken in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, she encounters another moment as her youngest anticipates his shot at the next level. With a bright smile and infectious laughter, Jamey Mosley credits his success to God and being around positive people.
“Everybody’s road to success is not the same, and everybody’s measure of success is different,” he said. “If you live by everyone’s scale, you’ll be left more disappointed than happy. You have to find out what’s best for you in life. Follow the best motto there is. Commitment. Discipline. Effort. Toughness. Pride. If you apply this to whatever you do and keep the Lord first, you will be well on your way.”
He started out a walk-on, but Mosley became one of the more valued pieces for Alabama in the locker room, on the practice field, in the community and in games. He kept the outside linebacker room together and was a part of four Southeastern Conference championships.
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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.
