Back-to-back pieces of tough information has hit Alabama football.
The idea of having four players suspended for a period of time in the matchup against Duke is already bad enough, but now factor in losing one of your defensive captains for the season.
According to a report from Justin Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Dylan Moses suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) to his knee – following the Crimson Tide’s practice on Tuesday.
This information comes three days before the program’s season-opener.
Moses, a junior, is Alabama’s starter at inside linebacker and he comes off a season where he collected a team-high 85 tackles. A native of Baton Rouge, La., the former five-star also accounted for 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He is a candidate on multiple preseason award watch lists and according to elite NFL Draft analysts, Moses projects as a first-round pick.
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However, the news will cause us to take another look at his stock.
While he does have strong film from his freshman and sophomore campaigns, the junior year is highlighted as the “money year” in the eyes of professional scouts.
Seeing how he will have no tape to provide, Moses would fall to being a mid-round (third to fifth-round) selection – if he decides to have surgery, rehab and declare for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Former Tide stars such as Eddie Jackson and Shaun Dion Hamilton endured crushing injuries during the regular season and despite not being first-round picks, both were still drafted and Jackson is having major success. This provides a silver lining, but Moses would rather be a first-rounder.
He is in a sticky situation right now.
On one hand, it benefits him and the team to return for his senior and recapture what is about to be lost from this season. Yet, the contrary thought is to start thinking about the future and get prepare to take care of self and family. It is unknown as to what Moses will do, but for someone who’s been ready to run a collegiate defense since the eighth grade, he has to make a move.
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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.
