There are plenty of traditions at the University of Alabama.
There is, of course, the tradition of adding BCS crystal footballs to the trophy case. There is the tradition of producing great players for the National Football League, especially quarterbacks and linebackers. And then there is the tradition that says outstanding plays that deserve names and paintings.
There is “The Shutout,” “The Pick Six,” the “Maximum Block,” “The Last Pass,” “The Catch” and “The Interception,” all paintings by Daniel A. Moore commemorating great plays in Alabama football history.
Another tradition is that Crimson Tide linebackers are often right in the middle of Alabama’s traditionally strong defense. There have been many great ones through the years such as Dont’a Hightower, DeMeco Ryans, Woodrow Lowe, E. J. Junior and Lee Roy Jordan. Linebackers have also been featured in Moor paintings. There was “The Hit” featuring Derrick Thomas, “The Sack,” featuring Cornelius Bennett’s sack of Notre Dame quarterback Steve Beuerlein, and the one that started it all, “The Goal Line Stand,” featuring Barry Krauss stopping Penn State’s Mike Guman to win the 1979 national championship.
Alabama’s next painting subject is probably senior linebacker C.J. Mosley, the 6-foot-2, 232-pounder from Theodore, Ala. In fact, he might have already made his painting-worthy Crimson moment with his 16-yard interception return for a touchdown against Michigan in the season opener last year. It was his school record-tying third pick he turned for a touchdown in his career.
Now, heading into his senior season, Mosley is the acknowledged leader of the Alabama linebacker corps.
“I would say it’s our players from the last three years, and me, with four years, to have that leadership to define the team,” Mosley said.
Mosley led Alabama last season with 107 tackles, 66 solos, and four sacks. He had eight tackles for losses, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery and was a consensus first team All-American and first team All-SEC choice. Mosley was a finalist for 2012 Butkus Award, presented to the nation’s top linebacker, and a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defensive player. He is on the watch list for almost every 2013 defensive award for which he is eligible this season.
“It makes me more humble, to make sure I’m doing the same things that got me to this situation,” he said. “Even then, it’s still just preseason honors, and I haven’t done anything yet. I have to make sure I do my job and keep others accountable on the team.”
Mosley will lead a team trying to win its third consecutive national championship.
“Basically, (our winning) keeps us humble and it makes us sure that we’re living in the moment, not looking ahead to games or thinking about back-to-back championships or things like that,” Mosley said.
That is the kind of talk that Nick Saban likes to hear.
“C.J. Mosley is a fantastic player, has made a tremendous amount of plays, had a very good spring, we’re hopeful that he’ll have an outstanding season,” Saban said. “If the guy is a good player, that certainly puts him in a position where his teammates respect him so he can be a leader. But just because you’re a good player doesn’t mean that you’re necessarily going to be a good leader.
“Now, C.J. has certainly tried to take the bull by the horns and be a good leader for our team. It’s very critical how do the players respond and come together on defense with the leadership.”
Mosley knows that playing for Saban, a noted defensive-minded head coach, has been instrumental in his development on the football field.
“It’s been a great experience. He helps me grow as a player, as a man. To come in here an 18-year-old and to be 21 with your degree, it just speaks to what he does,” Mosley said.
As for his place in the long line of outstanding linebackers to wear the crimson jersey, Mosley refuses to take the credit.
“All I can say is that I was doing what I was told,” he said. “I bought into the Alabama system, and I feel if you buy into Coach Saban’s system, you’ll be successful.”