Jaylen Moody details Alabama's increased competition at linebacker

Jaylen Moody has waited four years for the opportunity to start for the Alabama defense. After contributing on special teams and as a backup throughout his career, the redshirt senior is has a shot to win the starting weakside linebacker job in 2022

Now with a week to go until the Crimson Tide kick off the season, Moody spoke with reporters about how the competition has made him a better player.

“It’s been good. Guys are back there competing,” the linebacker said. “Every day is a challenge. You’ve got to come to work every day. The young guys, they’ve been working their butt off as well as me, and it’s helping us get to our goal as a team. It’s been good having guys behind me that push me and motivate me to be my best self every day.”

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A three-star prospect in 2018, Moody ranked as the No. 130 linebacker and No. 1133 overall prospect according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. He has totaled 45 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery across four seasons.

Moody’s main competition comes from Deontae Lawson, a redshirt freshman who saw action in four games this past season. He was not able to record a tackle but is well in the running for serious time in 2022. Freshmen Jihaad Campbell and Ian Jackson have also received praise in camp.

Other than that, the Crimson Tide are set with their other starters at the position. Will Anderson Jr. returns after leading the country with 17.5 sacks this past season. Dallas Turner and Henry To’oTo’o (12.5 combined sacks) are also slated to start.

Jaylen Moody will hope his experience at Alabama stands out as he tries to join that group as a starter. All 11 positions have some type of experienced veteran or senior stepping in to the starting lineup.

“Having seniors at every position, it helps with leadership and putting guys in order,” Moody said. “That also, with that being said, having guys who can show you how it’s done, the right way, so that other guys who are under you can see how it’s done and you can follow their steps. Having seniors in those spots and leaders, that’s a big thing.”

Alabama is set to kick off the season at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 against Utah State.