Steelers 2014 NFL Draft Player Profiles – Alabama LB C.J. Mosley

Good friend Dave-Te’ Thomas of Scouting Services has finished his player profiles of several of the top 2014 NFL Draft prospects and over the course of the next few weeks I will be posting the ones that the Pittsburgh Steelers will more than likely have interest in. While Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley has not been in for a pre draft visit, the Steelers still might have some level of interest in him, so today we post his player profile. Thomas has done these profiles for the NFL for several years and I know that many of you enjoy reading them.

C.J. MOSLEY
Inside/Outside Linebacker
University of Alabama Crimson Tide
#32
6:02.0-234
Mobile, Alabama
Theodore High School

OVERVIEW

Since taking over the Tide program, Nick Saban has guided Alabama to three national championships. During his time at the helm, he has seen his players capture All-American honors twenty-six times, as Saban has compiled a 79-14 record (.849 winning percentage).

While Saban has never named favorites, it is a known fact that Mosley is the “honor student” in the football “professor’s” gridiron class. The versatile linebacker became the fourth player under Saban to receive consensus All-American recognition in multiple seasons, as the senior class led by Mosley registered an .869 winning percentage (46-7) while securing for Saban back-to-back championships (2011-12).

Perhaps no award epitomizes the excellence at the linebacker position than the coveted Dick Butkus Award. The Butkus Award was formed in 1985 and is one of the elite individual honors in college football. Alabama has produced three Butkus Award recipients in its history. Derrick Thomas was named the recipient in 1988, followed by Rolando McClain in 2009 and Mosley in 2013.

Mosley became the 26th player in Southeastern Conference annals and the fourth in Tide history to twice earn consensus All-American honors. As a senior, he was not only a unanimous choice, but was also selected a finalist for the Lombardi and Bednarik Awards, as well as the Nagurski Trophy. His performance last season saw the Mobile, Alabama product earn team Player of the Week honors an unprecedented eleven times during the twelve-game regular season schedule.

Mosley was a Parade, U.S. Army and EA Sports All-American selection at Theodore High School, where he finished as his team’s all-time leading tackler with over 500 stops in his career. The two-time Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A All-State selection and the Class 6A Lineman of the Year in 2009, he ranked 56th on the Rivals100 list, placing sixth among outside linebackers nationally and second among all the players in the state of Alabama, according to Rivals.com.

Moseley also ranked seventh at outside linebacker by ESPNU and 99th overall in the ESPNU 150 polling. He logged 112 tackles, four sacks and one interception as a sophomore in 2007, followed by 176 tackles, (115 solos) as a junior in 2008, recording 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, causing four fumbles, recovering two more and intercepting two passes.

As a senior, Mosley set the school record with 186 tackles, breaking the mark he set as a junior. He also registered seven sacks, five fumble recoveries and four interceptions, as the Prep Star and Super Prep All-American finished second in the state voting for Alabama’s best player on the Birmingham News Super Senior list. He closed out his prep career by playing in the U.S. Army All-American Game and the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game.

What separates Mosley from most of the top linebackers in this draft class is his incredible lateral movement, making most of his plays away from his assigned area. He has more than ample speed to pursue long distances and is called a “coach on the field” for his high intelligence. He plays with textbook-perfect tackle technique and excels running sideline-to-sideline, along with performing like a defensive back in pass coverage. Those traits were evident as the weak-side linebacker became the future for Alabama in the middle of the defense.

Despite not starting any of the thirteen games he appeared in as a true freshman for Alabama, Mosley finished third on the team with 67 tackles. He excelled in pass coverage, as the Freshman All-American led the team with ten pass deflections. Both of his pass thefts were returned for touchdowns and his two QB pressures both resulted in interceptions.

Mosley was hampered by a hip injury and a dislocated elbow in 2011, starting six times while appearing in eleven contests as a sophomore. The weak-side linebacker registered a career-low 37 tackles with two sacks while sharing those position duties with Nico Johnson.

Mosley started ten times as a junior, as the Butkus Award finalist and consensus All-American led the Tide with 107 tackles that included eight stops behind the line of scrimmage and four sacks. When he ran back a pass theft for a score vs. Michigan, he tied the school record with three interception returns for touchdowns during a career.

The unanimous All-American would close out his career as the school’s third-leading tackler with 319 hits, registering a team-high 108 tackles (61 solos) in 2013. He produced nine stops-for-loss as the Walter Camp Player of the Year semi-finalist did not record any sacks, but caused interceptions on five of his ten pressures. Since becoming a starter, he posted 86 more tackles than any other Tide defender on the roster.

CAREER NOTES

Mosley started 29-of-51 games at weak-side linebacker, recording 319 tackles (174 solos) with 6.5 sacks for minus 52 yards, 23.0 stops for losses of 96 yards and fifteen quarter-back pressures … Deflected nineteen passes and intercepted five others for 93 yards in returns that included three touchdowns … Caused two fumbles and recovered another … NCAA Career-Record Results … Among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players, Mosley ranks fourth with his three interception returns for scores and 17th for total tackles … School Career-Record Results … Mosley finished third on the school all-time record list with 319 tackles, topped by Wayne Davis (327; 1983-86) and Thomas Boyd (324; 1979-82), as he is joined by Woodrow Lowe (315; 1972-75), DeMeco Ryans (309; 2002-05) and Roman Harper (307; 2002-05) as members of the Tide’s “300-Tackle Club” … His three interception returns for touchdowns tied the Alabama record that was first set by Antonio Langham (1990-93).

SEASON NOTES

Just the fourth player in school history and 26th in Southeastern Conference annals to be a multiple consensus All-American, Mosley became just the third Tide player to receive the Butkus Award (2013), joining Derrick Thomas (1988) and Rolando McClain (2009) … School Season-Record Results … Mosley’s two interception returns for touchdowns in 2010 tied the Alabama annual record that he shares with Hootie Ingram (1952), Bobby Johns (1966), Antonio Langham (1992), Cedric Samuel (1995) and Rashad Johnson (2008).

SEASON ANALYSIS

2013 SEASON

The recipient of the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s best linebacker, Mosley was named a unanimous first-team All-American (The NFL Draft Report, Walter Camp, Football Writers Association, Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association and Sporting News) … Was also a finalist for the Lombardi and Bednarik Awards, as well as the Nagurski Trophy, along with being selected a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy … Mosley started all thirteen games at weak-side linebacker, leading the team for the second-straight year with a career-high 108 tackles (61 solos), as his average of 8.3 hits per game ranked sixth in the league … The All-Southeastern Conference first-team choice delivered ten quarterback pressures and nine stops for losses of 20 yards, as he caused one fumble and deflected five passes … Was named the Tide’s Player of the Game eleven times during a regular season schedule, as he paced a unit that finished second nationally in scoring defense (11.3 ppg), fourth in first downs defense (170), fourth in red zone defense (.636), fifth in total defense (274.7 ypg), 11th in rushing defense (108.3 ypg), fifth in pass yards allowed (166.3 ypg) & 15th in pass efficiency defense (110.8) … Received Lott Impact National Player of the Week honors vs. Louisiana State and SEC player of the Week accolades vs. LSU and Mississippi State … Closed out the regular season by posting 43 tackles, 3.5 stops-for-loss, four quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and a forced fumble combined during his last four appearances … Led the team with seven tackles and had three solo stops, as the Tide held the Virginia Tech Hokies to 10 points and 59 passing yards … Had a team and a season-high 12 tackles with six solo stops, as the Tide beat the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station … Posted nine tackles (four solo), notched his first tackle for loss of the season and had two quarterback pressures as the Crimson Tide held the Colorado State Rams to a pair of field goals … In the Mississippi contest, Mosley showed a rare display of his emotional side while making seven tackles and leading a defensive effort that held the Rebels to 205 total yards and no points. He stuffed Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace in the end zone for a safety and broke up a Wallace pass on fourth down deep in Crimson Tide territory … In the Georgia State clash, he recorded two tackles for loss (5 yards), nearly stealing the handoff on one of those big plays, and finished with six tackles, including four solo stops while leading a defense that surrendered only 15 rushing yards and 175 total yards … Quarter-backed a defense that surrendered only 170 total yards on the road vs. Kentucky, as he made seven tackles with four solo stops … Registered his second double-digit tackle game of the season, despite playing only the first half and briefly in the third quarter, as he had five solo tackles with one tackle for loss while breaking up two passes and recording two quarterback pressures vs. Arkansas … Mosley’s play garnered regional and national honors vs. Louisiana State, after totaling 12 tackles with six solo stops, 1.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups, as he helped limit LSU’s vaunted offense to 43 yards rushing and 284 total yards … In the Mississippi State game, he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight game after he made 10 tackles with six solo stops, one forced fumble and four quarterback pressures vs. the Bulldogs, leading a Tide defense that allowed only 53 rushing yards and 197 total yards … Matched his career high with a game-high 14 tackles vs. Auburn, becoming the seventh player in school history to record 300 career tackles.

2012 SEASON

Mosley was named a consensus first-team All-American (The NFL Draft Report, AFCA, Walter Camp, Associated Press, Sporting News and Sports Illustrated) and All-SEC, as the finalist for the Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker) was the Tide’s starting weak-side “will” linebacker in all nickel and dime extra-DB situations … Was also a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player) … Led the Tide with 107 tackles (66 solos) that included four sacks for minus 34 yards, eight stops for losses of 52 yards and three quarterback pressures, as he also deflected two passes and intercepted two others, returningt one for his third career touchdown, tying a school all-time record … Also caused and recovered a fumble, finishing ninth in the SEC in tackles per game (7.62) … Posted four double-digit tackle games, with at least six tackles in eleven contests … Selected as one of the one of the Alabama defensive players of the week in each of the first six games and nine total games … In the Michigan clash, he made seven tackles, with five solo stops, as he intercepted a Denard Robinson pass and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown — the third of his career, which equals an Alabama record for touchdowns via interceptions … Led the team with 11 tackles (seven solo) vs. Western Kentucky, as he recorded a sack for a loss of 10 yards and broke up a pass in the Tide’s 35-0 shutout … Posted five tackles, including three solo stops, in the shutout victory over Arkansas, as Mosley forced one of five fumbles in the game … Had a team-high six assisted tackles against the Owls while assisting on a four-yard sack vs. Florida Atlantic, as he was part of the Tide’s starting unit that allowed only 35 yards of offense to the Owls in three quarters of action, earning defensive player of the week honors from the Alabama coaching staff … An Alabama defensive player of the week vs. Mississippi, he registered 10 tackles, with seven solo stops, as the Crimson Tide limited the Rebels to 80 yards on the ground and 218 overall … Equaled his season high with 12 tackles, marking his second straight double-digit tackle performance, as he made nine solo stops and recorded one sack for nine yards vs. Missouri, as he also recovered a fumble and added a quarterback pressure … Recorded a team-high seven tackles during a 44-13 victory over Tennessee, as he had four solo stops and one tackle for loss (six yards), and also intercepted his second pass of the season … In the Louisiana State game, Mosley had four tackles (three tackles for loss), knocked down a likely pass completion and assisted on a three-yard sack as the Tide completed a comeback road win over the Tigers, 21-17 … Registered a career-high 14 tackles, with nine solo stops vs. Texas A&M, as he notched his fourth sack of the season and fifth tackle for loss to be named an Alabama defensive player of the week … In the Western Carolina game, for the ninth time in 2012, selected as a defensive player of the week by the Alabama coaching staff, leading the team with six total tackles, including four solo stops and one tackle for loss (-2 yards) before he was removed along with most of the starters midway through the second quarter … In the Georgia clash, he was second on the team with seven tackles, including five solo stops, as he registered one tackle for loss (-4 yards) and one quarterback pressure to help win the SEC Championship Game … Earned Defensive MVP honors in the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game vs. Notre Dame, as the junior recorded eight tackles with five solo stops. He had a tackle for loss of six yards while helping limit the Fighting Irish to just 14 points and 32 yards rushing.

2011 SEASON

C.J. Mosley shared the starting job at will linebacker with Nico Johnson, as he started six games with Alabama starting in a nickel defense while playing in eleven total contests …
Missed the Florida and Vanderbilt games after dislocating his elbow in the first quarter vs. Arkansas … Returned for the Mississippi game, but did not start … Finished with 37 tackles (17 solos) on the season with 4.5 stops-for-loss (-20 yards) and two sacks (-15 yards) … Also broke up two passes and notched one interception … Named one of the Defensive Players of the Week by the Alabama coaching staff following the Penn State game, for his eight-tackle performance vs. the Nittany Lions, as he also had one tackle for loss and broke up a pass … Recorded a team-high eight tackles with three solo stops as the Tide limited Tennessee to just 155 total yards, including 63 passing … Notched his second sack of the season, dropping the Mississippi State quarterback for a loss of eight yards, as he finished with 1.5 tackes for loss (-9 yards) and equaled his season high with eight total tackles … In the BCS National Championship Game vs. Louisiana State, Mosley came off the bench when the Tide was in a nickel defense and made one tackle for loss (-3 yards) … intercepted a Jordan Jefferson pass in the second half, but he injured a hip on the play and was forced to leave the game.

2010 SEASON

Mosley played in all thirteen games as a true freshman and finished third on the team with 67 tackles (30 solos), assisting on a sack with 1.5 stops-for-loss and a pair of quarterback pressures … Tied the school season record with two interception returns for touchdowns, as he earned Freshman All-SEC honors, as well as first-team Freshman All-American accolades from the FWAA, Rivals.com and College Football News … Registered a team-high 10 pass breakups … Tallied his first interception and took it back for a 35-yard touchdown vs. Florida and added another for a 41-yard score vs. Georgia State.

INJURY REPORT

2011 Season … Mosley missed two the Florida and Vanderbilt games with a dislocated elbow that he suffered in the first quarter vs. Arkansas … Also dislocated his hip in the BCS national championship game vs. Louisiana State, but returned to play in all 14 games in 2012.
2012 Season … Underwent right shoulder surgery following the 2012 season, which limited his participation in 2013 spring practices.

AGILITY TESTS

4.63 in the 40-yard dash … 1.56 10-yard dash … 2.70 20-yard dash … 4.40 20-yard shuttle …
7.30 three-cone drill … 35-inch vertical jump … 9’-10” broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times … 33 3/8-inch arm length … 10 ¾-inch hands … 79 3/8-inch wingspan.

HIGH SCHOOL

Mosley attended Theodore (Mobile, Ala.) High School, where he was a Parade, U.S. Army and EA Sports All-American selection … Finished as his team’s all-time leading tackler with over 500 stops in his career … The two-time Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A All-State selection and the Class 6A Lineman of the Year in 2009, he ranked 56th on the Rivals100 list, placing sixth among outside linebackers nationally and second among all the players in the state of Alabama, according to Rivals.com … Ranked seventh at outside linebacker by ESPNU and 99th overall in the ESPNU 150 polling … Logged 112 tackles, four sacks and one interception as a sophomore in 2007, followed by 176 tackles, (115 solos) as a junior in 2008, recording 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, causing four fumbles, recovering two more and intercepting two passes … As a senior, Mosley set the school record with 186 tackles, breaking the mark he set as a junior … Also registered seven sacks, five fumble recoveries and four interceptions, as the Prep Star and Super Prep All-American finished second in the state voting for Alabama’s best player on the Birmingham News Super Senior list … Closed out his prep career by playing in the U.S. Army All-American Game and the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game.

PERSONAL

Mosley is a General Studies major … Born 6/19/92 in Theodore, Alabama.

PLAYER STATISTICS