Some Alabama fans are calling him the most valuable defensive player of the season.
Two types of players exist at the University of Alabama for football: those who are fine with being patient and those who are prepared to quickly snatch opportunities. While most considered Malachi Moore to be the former, the talented true freshman showed he is the latter.
He has worked on this craft his entire life and when the lights are on, he dominates.
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Defensively, the Crimson Tide is gradually making improvements.
Nick Saban is seeing the team get better each week, but its critical plays have come from Moore. The 6-foot, 182-pounder collected his first career interception versus Texas A&M and recorded his second pick against Georgia.
During Alabama’s matchup with Tennessee, he added his first defensive touchdown to an impressive campaign.
In the third quarter, Moore stripped the football from Eric Gray (running back), recovered the fumble and took it 28 yards for a score.
Shades of Minkah Fitzpatrick and George Teague flashed in the minds of Tide fans when he scored.
Moore was responsible for the team’s second non-offensive touchdown of the season in Alabama’s 48-17 victory.
.@AlabamaFTBL will take some Moore of that. pic.twitter.com/tlmud07e36
— SEConCBS (@SEConCBS) October 24, 2020
Prior to getting a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a touchdown in one play, Moore had two tackles with one pass breakup.
After five games, Moore has not allowed a touchdown reception against him.
He stands at 20 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two picks, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one touchdown.
Moore is playing with a lot of confidence and people are loving it right now.
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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.
