📡 Dylan Moses 'played phenomenal' in first career start at Mike LB

[17BAMA]

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Mercer ran 61 plays in its 56-0 loss to Alabama on Saturday, and it was a surprise to see true freshman linebacker Dylan Moses didn’t account for 61 tackles.

Moses made his first career start at Mike linebacker in the Crimson Tide’s final home game of the season and was all over the field. The former 5-star prospect recorded a game-high 11 tackles and helped limit the Bears to 161 total yards in the game.

“He played phenomenal,” senior safety Hootie Jones said after the game. “I ain’t seen no freshman since I’ve been here play like he was playing tonight.”

After splitting time with redshirt junior Keith Holcombe at Mike in Alabama’s 31-24 road win at Mississippi State a week ago, Moses was on the field for every snap for the first-team defense, and even a series with the second-team defense. He lined up at Mike in both base and nickel defenses and served as the Mack linebacker in the Tide’s dime package.

The Baton Rouge, La., native led the team in tackles and tackles for loss (4) and was one of three players to intercept Mercer quarterback Kaelan Riley, along with Jones and Deionte Thompson. But that kind of performance didn’t surprise his teammates.

“He looked focused,” senior linebacker Rashaan Evans said. “He was ready to play and just step up to the plate. And that’s basically what he showed out here on the field. He showed that he can play to the highest level. I’m just proud of him.

“I feel like now he can just build off of that and just play good ball.”

The opportunity for Moses to produce his breakout performanc arrived after injuries to Shaun Dion Hamilton (knee) and Mack Wilson (foot). Hamilton was the team’s signal caller before his college career ended with a broken patella against LSU.

While Hamilton’s knowledge and experience of the defense are almost irreplaceable, the freshman performed admirably in commanding the defensive front against the Bears in what seemed like an audition for the Mike position for the rest of the season.

“I feel like we wanted to emphasize that just in case something happens to me,” Evans said. “We wanted him to be able to run the defense, as well, and I felt like he did a good job with that today.”

With a crucial game against No. 6 Auburn on the horizon, Alabama is going to need to play one of its best defensive games when it travels to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25. Coming off a 31-point outing against Mississippi State, some wondered if that was possible after more injuries to the linebacking corps, as four linebackers are now on the shelf.

But the play of the former elite recruit was encouraging.

Although Moses played well against an FCS opponent, he was still in position before veteran teammates and could be the answer at Mike in advance of an all-important Iron Bowl.

And his head coach can point to one reason for Moses’ improvement from Week 11 to 12.

“I think Dylan’s got a lot more confidence,” Nick Saban said. “I think this last week was a little much for him. But this week he was better in practice, he had a better understanding, we simplified things a little more. This was a little bit easier preparation from that standpoint, and I think the knowledge and experience that he gained out there today will help his development in the future. And I thought he did a good job today.

“I know he had quite a few tackles and was very active in the game, and that’s going to be important for us down the road.”

Alabama Crimson Tide Football: Dylan Moses 'played phenomenal' in first career start at Mike linebacker

 

[TUSKtimes]

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Mercer ran 61 plays in its 56-0 loss to Alabama on Saturday, and it was a surprise to see true freshman linebacker Dylan Moses didn’t account for 61 tackles.

Moses made his first career start at Mike linebacker in the Crimson Tide’s final home game of the season and was all over the field. The former 5-star prospect recorded a game-high 11 tackles and helped limit the Bears to 161 total yards in the game.

“He played phenomenal,” senior safety Hootie Jones said after the game. “I ain’t seen no freshman since I’ve been here play like he was playing tonight.”

After splitting time with redshirt junior Keith Holcombe at Mike in Alabama’s 31-24 road win at Mississippi State a week ago, Moses was on the field for every snap for the first-team defense, and even a series with the second-team defense. He lined up at Mike in both base and nickel defenses and served as the Mack linebacker in the Tide’s dime package.

The Baton Rouge, La., native led the team in tackles and tackles for loss (4) and was one of three players to intercept Mercer quarterback Kaelan Riley, along with Jones and Deionte Thompson. But that kind of performance didn’t surprise his teammates.

“He looked focused,” senior linebacker Rashaan Evans said. “He was ready to play and just step up to the plate. And that’s basically what he showed out here on the field. He showed that he can play to the highest level. I’m just proud of him.

“I feel like now he can just build off of that and just play good ball.”

The opportunity for Moses to produce his breakout performanc arrived after injuries to Shaun Dion Hamilton (knee) and Mack Wilson (foot). Hamilton was the team’s signal caller before his college career ended with a broken patella against LSU.

While Hamilton’s knowledge and experience of the defense are almost irreplaceable, the freshman performed admirably in commanding the defensive front against the Bears in what seemed like an audition for the Mike position for the rest of the season.

“I feel like we wanted to emphasize that just in case something happens to me,” Evans said. “We wanted him to be able to run the defense, as well, and I felt like he did a good job with that today.”

With a crucial game against No. 6 Auburn on the horizon, Alabama is going to need to play one of its best defensive games when it travels to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25. Coming off a 31-point outing against Mississippi State, some wondered if that was possible after more injuries to the linebacking corps, as four linebackers are now on the shelf.

But the play of the former elite recruit was encouraging.

Although Moses played well against an FCS opponent, he was still in position before veteran teammates and could be the answer at Mike in advance of an all-important Iron Bowl.

And his head coach can point to one reason for Moses’ improvement from Week 11 to 12.

“I think Dylan’s got a lot more confidence,” Nick Saban said. “I think this last week was a little much for him. But this week he was better in practice, he had a better understanding, we simplified things a little more. This was a little bit easier preparation from that standpoint, and I think the knowledge and experience that he gained out there today will help his development in the future. And I thought he did a good job today.

“I know he had quite a few tackles and was very active in the game, and that’s going to be important for us down the road.”

Alabama Crimson Tide Football: Dylan Moses 'played phenomenal' in first career start at Mike linebacker

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Yea. Watched him a lot.....looked to be in right place.....reacted quickly....
But....it was Mercer....
Nice crowd also.....probably in neighborhood of 70m....Aday size...