Everything Alabama LB Jaylen Moody said on Tuesday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama linebacker Jaylen Moody spoke to the media for the the first time in fall camp on Tuesday, which came just as the Crimson Tide was gearing up for practice No. 16 of 27. With the season opener now less than two weeks away, the redshirt senior is closing in on a starting job.

Below, you can check out everything Moody said during his media availability.

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On if he’s seen progress from Alabama’s defense…

“I think we’ve made good improvement over the last few scrimmages. Still a lot we can work on. Get better as a unit. I think we’ve been making progress and improvements in that area, making strides toward the team we want to be.”

On how the competition has been with the younger guys…

“It’s been good. Guys have been back there, competing. Every day is a challenge. You’ve got to come to work every day. The young guys, they’ve been working their butts off as well as me. It’s helping us get to our goal as a team. It’s just been good to have some guys behind me who have been pushing me and motivating me to be my best self every day.”

On how Alabama’s offensive line has progressed…

“The o-line, the new offensive o-line coach, he came in with a good scheme and a good mindset, helping the boys be a better version of themselves. I’ve been seeing a lot of improvement from them, working every day on their crafts and little techniques to be better as a unit. Them boys are going to do (inaudible) and make the improvements that they need.”

On if he’s become more consistent…

“I feel like I have been making improvements in that area, trying to be a better version of myself on the field as well as off the field. Just trying to make strides of being a better player as a leader on the field, doing all the right things that I need to do. Being in a better position, being in the right spot when I need to and just doing my job. I think I have made improvements in that area.”

On Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs…

“Gibbs, he’s a special talent man. One of a kind. Really fast. Really slippery. He’s special. He’s a guy I love to go against every day. Makes me better every day, having the chance to go against him. A really good kid.”

On if he’s seen improvement from Alabama’s run game…

“I have seen a lot of improvement in the running game. We’ve got some good backs. They bring it every day. When you come to practice, you have to bring it every day because if not, they can get the best of you.”

On if he’s going to catch any Week 0 games this weekend…

“I want to say Utah State has a game this week, so I definitely have plans on watching that game. Trying to pick up any little details I can while watching and any other teams.”

On his advice to Alabama’s younger players…

“Coach Saban, he wants the best out of us. A lot of times, as players, as younger guys, you want to do that. You can put a lot of unwanted pressure on yourself at times that you don’t need to do. I think sometimes we all do that as players. As a young guy, my message to them would be just go out there and put the best version of yourself out there. Whatever your job is to do, go out there and do that and do that to the best of your ability. As far as that, if you know that you did your best, then that’s all you can do.

On how his chemistry with Alabama LB Henry To’oTo’o has evolved…

“Me and Henry, that’s my guy man. I try to talk with him every day. Obviously being in the meeting room and practice, every day, get a chance to get a feel in how we like each other and play of each other. Our chemistry has improved a little bit over time. Obviously, as we keep going over the season, trying to keep progressing that chemistry.”

On what it’s like having senior leadership at all three levels on defense…

“Having seniors at every position, it helps with leadership and putting guys in order. 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.”

On example of To’oTo’o being smart…

“Henry is a really smart guy. He does a lot of tremendous things. I couldn’t really just say on the field … just off the field, in the meeting room, seeing how he diagnoses plays, breaking it down with the younger guys, me as well. I can definitely see that he is very intelligent on the field as well as off the field.”