Jaylen Moody has experienced many things as an Alabama football player.
He wears three Southeastern Conference Championship rings, a College Football Playoff National Championship ring, and assisted the Crimson Tide to victories in the Orange Bowl, Citrus Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
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Moody studied the players before him and endured the hard days of summer workouts, fall camps, spring practices, and the Fourth Quarter Program. He enters his fifth year with one thing left to accomplish: become a defensive starter.
Moody, a native of Conway, S.C., took the podium for today’s media availability.
When it comes to how the former three-star feels about this season, he uttered one statement: “It’s time.”
Moody has made plays, shown the coaching staff what he’s capable of, and has teammates that believe in him. He placed Crimson Tide fans in the minds of linebackers in the early years of Nick Saban at Alabama. Moody carries the mindset of a Dont’a Hightower, Nico Johnson, Rolando McClain, Reggie Ragland, Reuben Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Rashaan Evans, and Mack Wilson. He fits gaps, possesses lateral quickness, takes on and sheds off offensive linemen, and can pressure quarterbacks. Moody entered the NCAA transfer portal at the start of the offseason, but he would later remove his name and return to Alabama.
Moody said the Crimson Tide is home, and he wants to be a star in Tuscaloosa.
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“This is where I want to be at,” Moody said. “Alabama has always been a home for me for four years. Going into my last year, I want to make an impact.”
He loves Tuscaloosa, and Moody’s teammates have helped him prepare for this opportunity.
He came back to the Tide to show a leader’s mentality on defense.
“I’m here to show the guys how it is supposed to be done, lead by example,” Moody said. “I can be that guy. I can be a leader for them.”
Moody had no problems breaking down his game from the linebacker position to reporters.
He defines himself as an ‘instinctive’ player. Moody processes information well and lets the game come to him. He brings versatility as a middle “Mike” and weakside “Will” linebacker. Moody takes pride in communicating signals or calls, he likes putting teammates in a position to succeed, and he knows the whole defense. He observed players such as Brian Robinson and Mac Jones wait patiently for their chances, and they excelled. Robinson became a 1,300-yard rusher (1,343) in 2021 after waiting.
Jones set single-season school records for passing yards (4,500) and touchdown passes (41) in 2020 and was a Heisman Trophy finalist after three years of waiting. Moody sees that his time is now to show how great he can be.
It will be fun watching him excel in the coming fall.
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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.
