Alabama sophomore inside linebacker Dylan Moses / Crimson Tide photoAlabama sophomore inside linebacker Dylan Moses didn't get to play in last season's Sugar Bowl or national championship game due to a foot injury, but he made more than enough big plays for the Crimson Tide.
Moses caused a fumble in kickoff coverage and recovered a fumbled punt in Alabama's 24-7 opening win over Florida State, but his transition from five-star talent to Crimson Tide newcomer wasn't nearly that seamless.
"I tried to rush everything and do things I wasn't ready for," Moses said Monday during a news conference. "I just rushed into it trying to be something I wasn't yet. I realized I had to be a role player and learn the plays and do what I had to do."
The 6-foot-3, 233-pounder from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, tallied 30 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss last year, earning starts in Alabama's last two regular-season games against Mercer and Auburn. He was sensational against Mercer, amassing 11 tackles, four tackles for loss and an 11-yard interception return, and he added another 10 tackles in the Iron Bowl.
Moses competed at linebacker in all 11 games he played last season, but his role increased after Shaun Dion Hamilton had his final year cut short by a fractured kneecap against LSU. He played significant time at Mississippi State but wasn't overly effective as the Crimson Tide escaped Starkville with a 31-24 win.
Alabama coach Nick Saban said the week between Mississippi State and Mercer was when Moses, the 2017 Parade Magazine national player of the year, got the needed grasp of the defense. Now it's Moses and junior Mack Wilson, a five-star signee in 2016, who have the potential of giving Saban the most talented inside linebacker tandem of his 12 seasons in Tuscaloosa.
"We have the potential to be a really great defense," Moses said. "We just all have to be on the same page and communicate, because that's the biggest thing with our defense. If we're all on the same page, everything will be all right."
Wilson and Moses are replacing Hamilton and Rashaan Evans, who wore jersey No. 32 last season. That is now the number for Moses, who wore No. 18 as a freshman.
Of course, a number that hasn't changed with Alabama is No. 1, as the Crimson Tide will begin a third consecutive season at the top of the Associated Press poll, which was released Monday. It's the 11th consecutive year in which Alabama will be ranked No. 1 at some point of the season.
"Everybody wants to be No. 1," Moses said. "That's what everybody works for, but at the same time, it's not our focus here at Bama. We're more focused on getting the job done and working every day to get ourselves better.
"We want the same outcome as last year but to be better and stronger."
Alabama practiced Monday afternoon for the first time since Saturday's second preseason scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium, working indoors for two hours in helmets and shorts. Monday's practice was the 15th of 25 this month.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.