Alabama Crimson Tide junior linebacker C.J. Mosley made news following his team’s two-hour practice, announcing he would return for his senior season in Tuscaloosa. Many NFL mock drafts have Mosley as a mid to late first rounder, so this is suprising.
“I’m staying for one more year (at Alabama),” Mosley said on Thursday. “There’s a lot I still haven’t accomplished yet as far as football goals, and I still want to get my degree. It really hasn’t been a tough decision because the whole time I knew I was going to stay.”
Mosley, a native of Theodore, Ala., led the nation’s top-ranked total defense (246.0 ypg) and No. 1 rush defense (79.8 ypg) with 99 tackles. He accounted for seven tackles for loss (-46 yards), four sacks (-34 yards), 61 solo tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups, one fumble forced and a fumble recovery.
Returning for his senior year will also give Mosley to a chance to finish his degree next December before moving on to the NFL.
“C.J. is an outstanding player and a really good leader,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. “He’s a guy that can have a tremendous impact on the game. We are really pleased and happy to have him back. This guy is one that will make you proud. He, personally, academically and athletically has done extremely well in every way in terms of how he has represented himself, his family, our program and The University of Alabama.”
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