Malachi Moore is one of a few players for Alabama who has experienced the mountaintop and valley in his career.
He arrived at the University of Alabama as a four-star safety in the 2020 recruiting class. Moore earned the starting job at ‘Star’ and rose to stardom as a true freshman. He assisted the Crimson Tide’s defense to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff National Championship in a Coronavirus-shortened season. Moore collected a team-high three interceptions, six pass breakups, and a defensive touchdown. He earned SEC All-Freshman Team and Freshman All-American honors for his efforts. Injuries shifted him into the valley in 2021 and 2022. He managed to be productive, but he was not the same player from his freshman campaign. Hard work and a smooth recovery have restored Moore to his playmaking form.
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He is the best communicator on Alabama’s defense, and it has allowed him to help the team be in a position to play for an SEC Championship. Moore has 39 total tackles, four tackles for loss, four pass breakups, a quarterback hurry, and an interception.
Now a senior, everything has come full circle for Moore. He will take to Bryant-Denny Stadium as one of several seniors to be honored on Saturday against Chattanooga. Moore appreciates everything that has happened to him, but he knows he has an impending NFL Draft decision coming up. He could also choose to return to the Crimson Tide for a fifth year.
“I have not thought about it too much,” Moore said about the idea of returning to school for a fifth year. “Senior day is surreal to me to see how everything is going by so fast. I’m just taking it in each day at a time. When that time comes, I’ll probably have a little emotions flowing through me on Saturday coming out of the tunnel not knowing if it is going to be my last time coming out of the tunnel. I am looking forward to it.”
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Moore is focused on what he can control right now.
He can control helping the Tide beat Chattanooga, Auburn, and Georgia in hopes that Alabama gets into the College Football Playoff. Moore can also control how he helps the team perform in the playoff if it gets in. He will have a conversation with Nick Saban on the best option for him with his post-college endeavors. Moore is ready to continue proving naysayers wrong about this team.
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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.
