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Four former UA standouts made NFL practice squads, prior to regular season

Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports

After the fourth and final week of preseason action, the National Football League unveiled its 53-man rosters for all 32 teams over the weekend. Four former alumni members of the University of Alabama did not make active rosters, but they did join the practice squad. 

RELATED: Alabama 2020 NFL Draft projections

Practice squad players make $8,000 per week and this is during both regular season and playoffs.

Listed below are those four players. 

Jamey Moses, LB – New York Jets 

He decided to join his brother, C.J. Mosley, with the New York Jets – since he was not selected through seven rounds of this year’s NFL Draft.

Following his choice his sign with the franchise, Jamey Mosley started creating attention in rookie minicamp and organized team activities.  

He was set to make the 53-man roster, until a knee injury in training camp kept him out of the preseason.

After toiling as a walk-on at Alabama for two seasons (2014-15), Mosley earned a scholarship in 2016 and totaled 21 tackles – including 4.5 for loss with two sacks and two pass breakups in 31 games. 

According to team reporter, Ethan Greenberg, Mosley was one of seven players added to the practice squad.

Lester Cotton, OL – Oakland Raiders 

Lester Cotton, a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., went undrafted in this year’s venue and ended up signing with the Oakland Raiders. The former five-star in the 2015 class for Alabama was released; however, he has been signed to the practice squad.

At 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, Cotton has the hand strength and power to be a good offensive guard, yet he needs to improve his footwork. 

Cam Sims, WR – Washington Redskins 

Jay Gruden, head coach of the Washington Redskins, really likes Cam Sims. 

He had nothing but positive things to say about the Louisiana native and former Crimson Tide receiver throughout OTA’s and training camp.

Sims had an injury in preseason action last year, which placed in on injured reserve.

The 6-foot-5, 214-pounder was having a strong offseason this time around, unfortunately a couple of drops led to him getting cut.

He would be signed back to the Redskins’ practice squad, but Tide fans hope Sims can stay healthy and make the roster. 

He had 41 catches for 467 yards with two scores in his time at Alabama. 

DeAndrew White, WR – Carolina Panthers 

He led Carolina with 94 receiving yards on four catches in its 25-19 win over Pittsburgh, but DeAndrew White still did not make the active roster.

He was cut over the weekend, but has been signed to the practice squad.

A native of Houston, Texas, White earned a Super Bowl ring in 2016 on the New England Patriots practice unit, but he wants to be a full-time contributor. 

The former Tide star was one of the school’s premiere route runners. 

He recorded 1,294 yards receiving with 12 scores on 94 receptions from 2010-14, with his best performance coming in 2014. White totaled 40 catches that year for 504 yards and four touchdowns.  

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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.

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Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 10+ years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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