One of the first questions directed toward Alabama head football coach, Nick Saban at SEC Media Days is who emerges to help Dylan Moses at inside linebacker. With the Crimson Tide losing Mack Wilson to the National Football League, it returns some talented pieces yet it remains to be seen on who will start.
Saban did single out redshirt senior Joshua McMillon as someone that has much experience.
“Josh has been in our program a long time,” Saban said. “He’s a thumper and he is physical.”
The 6-foot-3, 237-pounder came to Alabama in its 2015 signing class from Memphis, Tenn.
He totaled 14 tackles — including one for loss through 10 games last season. Despite Saban mentioning the possibility of player by committee at weakside linebacker for his various packages — regular, nickel and dime — Moses told reporters that he has learned a lot from McMillon since arriving as a freshman in 2017.
“He’s meant a lot to me,” Moses said of McMillon. “With him being an older guy, I had to learn leadership, the playbook and just how to led guys in general. There was a lot that went into it, but he taught me a lot about the process.”
Of the young players that will compete with McMillon to start alongside Moses, Ale Kaho, Shane Lee and Jaylen Moody are three guys the program is excited about. Saban said it remains to be seen on which one will develop faster, but Moses is high on all players at the position.
“Shane Lee is going to be another one of our great players,” Moses said.
“It just takes time to learn the plays and continue to develop confidence in himself. As he continues to learn the playbook, he is going to be good. It’s the same thing for Jaylen Moody. He has to stay in the film room.”
One thing for certain is Alabama has the luxury to mix and match at the position.
With fall camp approaching soon, we will see who wins the job.
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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.
