If a poll was provided to Alabama fans on the most important player returning from injury, Dylan Moses would be first on the list. He returns to relive his junior year after suffering a season-ending knee injury in August camp of 2019. After Moses, people would highlight linebacker Joshua McMillon and defensive lineman DJ Dale as the next important guys.
As critical as all those names will be, the Crimson Tide also returns LaBryan Ray at defensive end in the fall. He played in three games last season, prior to sustaining a foot injury versus South Carolina and missed the remainder of the year.
Once a five-star recruit from Madison, Ala., Ray came in Alabama’s 2017 class and was part of its College Football Playoff title squad.
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The 6-foot-5, 292-pounder has the size, pass rush moves and experience to get the defense back in order; however, he needs to stay healthy.
Ray has been hampered by a foot injury throughout his career, despite totaling 53 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two quarterback pressures and one forced fumble in three years. The trio of Ray, Dale and Christian Barmore on the defensive line gives Nick Saban a dynamic group that will affect opposition.
On Friday of last week, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine discussed Ray’s leadership skills, playmaking abilities and experience via In My Own Words.
He, like Moses, is going after a potential first-round stock for the 2021 NFL Draft.
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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.
