This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
Coming out of high school, Moses was a highly sought after recruit and one of the top players in the nation. After signing with Alabama, Moses was expected to maintain the tradition of standout Crimson Tide linebackers after the likes of Rolando McClain, Dont’a Hightower, C.J. Mosley, Reuben Foster and Rashaan Evans were first-round picks during the Nick Saban era.
Moses was a backup as a freshman, rotating into the game and totaling 30 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. With Rashaan Evans moving on to the NFL, Moses won a starting spot as a sophomore and broke out for the Crimson Tide by recording 86 tackles, 10 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass batted. Alabama played Moses at inside and outside linebacker that season. There was a lot of excitement for Moses to be one of the best linebackers in college football in 2019, but he tore an ACL in training camp and missed the season.
Moses returned to the field in 2020 and showed some rust in the early going. Eventually, he played better, but he was not impressive late in the year against tougher opponents like Florida and Ohio State. Moses totaled 74 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three passes defended and an interception in his final season.
Even though he didn’t dominate in 2020, it was a surprise when Moses went undrafted. Team sources say no one selected him for anumbern of factors. One, his tape was disappointing, leaving teams believing Moses lacks good instincts, which is a lethal criticism for a linebacker. The second big issue was his medical history, and that really hurt him with some teams. Not only did he have the ACL issue in the past, but Moses was dealing with an injured knee in the leadup to the 2021 Draft. Thus, it was combination of disappointing play from his senior year, not returning to his pre-injury form, and having medical concerns that pushed him into the undrafted ranks.
After going undrafted, Moses signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and that was a fine landing spot. Veterans Joe Schobert and Myles Jack are locked in as the team’s starters, but the organization needs young depth to emerge. The competition is not fierce in Jacksonville, as the Jaguars don’t have young talent or a player with premium money or draft pick investment. Moses will be competing for a roster spot against the likes of Leon Jacobs, Shaq Quarterman, Damien Wilson, Roy Robertson-Harris, Jordan Smith, Quincy Williams and Dakota Allen. The key for Moses to make the roster will be to star on special teams. If he can make the team as a core special teams contributor, that could lead to him developing into a bigger role. Moses has a good opportunity in Jacksonville. Staying healthy and returning to his pre-injury form will be the most critical factors for Moses to stick in the NFL.
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