Dylan Moses, once a five-star linebacker in Alabama's 2017 signing class, has hardly disappointed.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, broke into the starting lineup late in his freshman season and was a finalist for the Butkus Award last year as a sophomore.
Athletic accomplishments alone would have left Moses unfulfilled during his third spring in Tuscaloosa, but that has not been the case. Moses has assumed the defensive play-calling responsibilities from Mack Wilson, who is now prepping for the NFL, and is loving every minute of it.
"I definitely feel like a leader, and I know there are a lot of guys who are watching me," Moses said this week in a news conference. "I'm really excited to have this position. I've always wanted it, and it was something I spoke about with Coach (Nick) Saban when I first came into the program.
"To finally be the middle linebacker and the quarterback of the defense is something that has me happy and excited."
The Crimson Tide held their fourth spring practice Friday, working out for two hours in full pads.
Moses was the No. 13 overall prospect nationally in the 247Sports.com composite rankings out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He became a starter for Alabama's last two regular-season games in 2017 against Mercer and Auburn and tallied a combined 21 tackles in those two contests.
Against Mercer, Moses also racked up four tackles for loss and an interception, but his season was cut short by a foot injury that happened during on-campus practices for the Sugar Bowl national semifinal against Clemson.
Last season, Moses amassed 86 tackles and 10 tackles for loss and played both inside and outside at linebacker.
"He's a good football player, and I don't think he's got anything he has to prove," Saban said this week. "It's just a matter of getting him reps. He's a very instinctive guy."
Moses has been working alongside Joshua McMillon, a fifth-year senior from Memphis who quietly has worked his way up to a first-team role. The Tide have far more returning experience at outside linebacker with the likes of Anfernee Jennings, Terrell Lewis and Christopher Allen, but the return of Ale Kaho inside earlier this week should give new defensive coordinator Pete Golding a little more comfort.
Kaho, a sophomore, had 11 tackles last season and a team-high seven on kickoff coverage.
Moses already has a strong bond with Golding, who was his position coach last season and is also a native of Louisiana. The two share a goal of re-establishing a standout defense after a troubling close to last season under former coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who is now defensive line coach of the Cleveland Browns.
In Alabama's last three games against Georgia, Oklahoma and Clemson, the Tide surrendered 1,407 yards and 106 points.
"It's really just finishing," Moses said. "Last year we would start some games doing well and the offense would put up a lot of points. Then, in the second half, we would relax. We can't look at the scoreboard this year.
"We've got to finish the games and keep dominating."
Tickets for sale
Tickets for Alabama's season opener against Duke in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game are now on sale through the school's ticket office, with lower-level seats inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium set at $200 and upper-level seats at $125.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.