Alabama football kicked off fall camp Thursday, Aug. 4.
Fans of the Crimson Tide are excited for this edition of athletes taking the field, as Nick Saban and the program look to reclaim the crown of national champions. With the start of college football quickly approaching, the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will provide in-depth previews of the top 30 players on Alabama’s roster.
After previewing Byron Young, we look at defensive back Malachi Moore at No. 13.
Malachi Moore
-Classification: Junior
–Position: Defensive Back
-Hometown: Trussville, Ala.
-Height: 6-0
-Weight: 190 pounds
–Strengths: Starting experience, quickness, athleticism, instinctive, coverage skills, strong tackler, eye discipline
-Weaknesses: Durability (suffered injuries in 2020 and 2021), lacked production in 2021
SUMMARY:
Malachi Moore blew people away with his production as a freshman in 2020.
He emerged as a starting defensive back in Alabama’s nickel package after fall camp. Moore impressed coaches and teammates with his instincts, ball skills, coverage skills, and tackling skills. He finished with 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and a team-high three interceptions. The 6-foot, 190-pounder forced four turnovers in 2020, including a fumble against Tennessee that he returned for a 28-yard touchdown. He garnered SEC All-Freshman Team honors, second-team All-SEC honors, and Freshman All-American honors. Moore assisted the Crimson Tide to an undefeated national championship year.
He was sidelined during the 2020 College Football Playoff because of a back injury. Moore played through back pain and shin splints in 2021. Both injuries limited his sophomore production as he dropped to 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception, a quarterback hurry, and a pass breakup. He played in 15 games, but Brian Branch started over Moore in Alabama’s nickel defense.
Can the former four-star regain the success from his first year?
Tide fans want to see Moore have a bounce-back season. He trained with former Alabama safety Justin Woodall during the summer and has improved his body. He looks more like a linebacker in his chest and arms and might be the starter in the Crimson Tide’s dime defense. Moore and Branch share the nickel role, but it will be interesting to see how it shapes out.
Moore looks to reintroduce himself as a game-changer in the 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.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
