Malachi Moore on playing as a freshman, where he has grown

Alabama sophomore defensive back Malachi Moore spoke with reporters Tuesday about where he’s grown from his freshman season and what he learned. Moore talked about his approach to playing as a freshman and where he’s improved, as well as playing through injury last year.

Malachi Moore improving from freshman season

Moore’s press session began with a question about the lessons he had learned from playing as a true freshman starter for Alabama and head coach Nick Saban last season.

“I had to be mature a lot and focus in and prepare like a veteran,” Moore stated. “I think that was the biggest thing for me because [your] first college game, and first college season you don’t know what to expect in an atmosphere like that. And even though we didn’t have the fans that we do this year, it still was new to me just because it was college football. So I think just being on top of the playbook really helped me last year.”

Moore started for Alabama in the first eleven games of the 2020 season before a back injury sidelined him for the College Football Playoffs. Although he was playing through the injury prior to the playoffs, the injury became severe enough that Moore would miss the end of the 2020 season and spring football camp.

“Playing through the injury, I just wanted to be there for my teammates and do the best I can,” Moore explained of his injury process. “As long as I could play I felt like it was okay for me to play. Through the offseason, rest really. Since the games, I missed until probably up until the summer, I was out the whole time just recovering my body and trying to let my injury healed.”

Now in his second year as a starter for Alabama, Moore has played in every game this season and had an interception in week one. Despite his immediate success as a true freshman, Moore had more room for growth.

“I would say I have a better understanding of the playbook. I have a better understanding of what multiple positions do, even sometimes the linebackers in certain calls that we have. I think that’s been the biggest thing for me just so I can see what everybody else’s job is and if they’re not in the right spot I can get them in the right spot. I think that’s the thing I’ve worked on the most.”