BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Few, if any players in this year’s NFL draft come with as much experience as safety Malachi Moore who played in over 60 games during his 5-year career at Alabama. With all that experience comes knowledge, something he believes will help his transition to the NFL.
“Having football IQ and studying game film, it allows me to go out there and play at a different speed,” said the former Alabama safety. “It allows me to see things before they happen. We just prepare the way you are supposed to prepare week in and week out. You can go out there and make plays off of that.”
Moore, the Tide’s team captain in 2023 and 2024, was asked to play several different spots within Alabama’s defense but really settled in last season at safety and was a First Team-All SEC selection.
He’s got experience playing safety, nickel back, and cornerback. That versatility is coveted at the next level.
“Whatever the team needs me to do,” said Moore. “If you need me to be deep in the post or in a deep part of the field I can do that. If you need me to come down and and fill the box and play the run I can do that as well. If you need me to go cover down on the slot or cover speed at three I’m comfortable with doing that as well.”
The all-SEC performer said for the first four years of his career he played the ‘star’ position on the Alabama defense.
“I feel like I have an advantage of being able to be versatile,” said Moore. “But also being able to be comfortable in doing new things. This was first year playing safety and I feel like it was the best year I’ve had in college.”
Moore played in over 500 special teams snaps at Alabama so he should be able to make impact in that area immediately. He is projected to be a fourth or fifth round draft pick.
Josh Reed is an award-winning journalist who has served as News 4’s Sports Director since 2015. See more here.