The absence of Dylan Moses was one of a few critical reasons behind Alabama’s struggles on defense last year.
In not having its communicator and a player that gives others confidence, the Crimson Tide had to rely on multiple players — including two true freshmen at both inside linebacker positions — to have the group remain in the top-20 nationally.
While it was painful to watch Alabama give up 18.5 points per game and lose to LSU and Auburn, Moses could do nothing about it.
A serious knee injury sidelined him before August camp started in 2019 and it affected the team. One year later, Moses is back healthy and participating in fall practice.
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On Tuesday, he was one of two student-athletes that spoke to local reporters via Zoom call and the redshirt junior started the conversation with stating how good he feels to be back with his teammates.
“As far as my health, I feel really good right now,” Moses said. “I just need to keep getting better as far as developing a feel for being on the field again, since it has been a while, but other than that it has been great.”
As much as he wants to prove his value as a first-round pick, there is something deeper the former five-star wants to accomplish.
“I want to put a punctuation on the backend of my career at Alabama, but at the same time I want to be able to affect my teammates,” Moses said. “That is the reason why I came back. I care about them, I love them and it’s about getting our guys back to the way we use to be.”
Nick Saban mentioned red zone defense as an area for improvement, but Moses wants to see his group get better in overall communication and having confidence in their roles on the field.
In taking a coach’s approach, the Baton Rouge (La.) native also said the Tide needs to force teams to be one-dimensional on offense.
“We have to have that mindset when we go on the field,” Moses said. “It is more of a mental thing, so that’s what I have been focusing on since I have been back.”
Regardless of knowing the difference he would have made in 2019, Moses refuses to think on the past. He understands with him on the field now; the defense has confidence in playing assignment football.
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“You have to keep moving forward,” he said. “Now, that I have sat back and looked at the things we really need to work on, I have been trying to apply it in every way possible. As far as being a leader, I’m not trying to be a hard-nosed leader. I want to be one that can understand his teammates and be there for his brothers.”
Anxiety from his knee injury made Moses’ recovery process harder than expected.
“It was a long process,” he said. “I was actually trying to rush my process, but my body kept telling me no. As time went on and I got stronger, I would go out on the field without a brace and I would feel great. I don’t think about it. I don’t have any second thoughts or be second guessing when I’m on the field. I feel really good, so when it’s game time I will be ready.”
Even with the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences canceling their seasons, Alabama wants to play for a College Football Playoff National Championship.
Coach Saban said on Monday that a championship game should be played; however, Moses is taking things one step at a time.
“You focus on one game at a time,” he said. “Especially with my guys, I try to get them to understand that. Even in practice, you have to focus on one play at a time. We try to use it in every situation we go into, but as far as our readiness to execute, I feel confident because I am going to be hands on with guys.”
When it comes to the best hires made this offseason, Moses recommended Saban to bring in the scientific duo of David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea from Indiana University. Both coaches were with Dylan Moses during his senior year at IMG Academy and got him ready for the next level.
“I am very familiar with these guys,” Moses said of Ballou and Rhea.
“When I was at IMG, they always put out very good results. They dropped my 40-time, got me stronger, I was healthy throughout the season, I felt great when they were my coaches. Now, it’s even better. It brings back old memories.”
Shane Lee and Christian Harris were the freshmen that got valuable experience last year.
Both guys finished among the team leaders for tackles and contrary to popular belief, Moses was proud of the way the two played despite being thrown into the fire.
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“I actually think they (Lee and Harris) did really well,” Moses said. “As true freshmen, they did better than what I could have done at that time. I know when I was a freshman in August, I was still learning. So, I commend them for doing a great job and stepping up and taking up the role. To only lose two games with two freshmen middle linebackers, that’s great. With them coming back this year and me being able to pass on my knowledge to them, it is a great feeling.”
The return of Moses means the Tide is whole again on defense.
This season should be monumental.
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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.
