The speculation has been endless on which, if any, Alabama Football juniors would be returning for their senior seasons. The first domino has fallen with Dylan Moses announcing via Instagram his intent to return to take care of unfinished business.
What the 2020 Alabama Football squad will look like is in question as many of the top players are Juniors deciding whether or not to forego their last season in hopes of making millions in the NFL. Next season could be another rebuilding year with big question marks at wide receiver, running back, quarterback, and the defensive linebackers and secondary.
However, one big question mark has been answered with the Tide’s star linebacker announcing he will be returning for his senior season. Dylan Moses did so Monday night via his Instagram account and nearly broke Twitter in the process. Social media went wild with the news.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6uFnPwn3WN/
Moses mentioned “unfinished business” in his post announcement. The same rumblings have been coming from Tuscaloosa since the Iron Bowl loss and the committee dropping the Tide to 13 in the rankings. Saban made mention of part of Dylan Moses’ decision to return was based on the Alabama Football team could “insure him” perhaps referencing a permanent loss of playing ability or loss of value insurance policy taken out for some of the top players on each team.
Interesting note from Nick Saban on Dylan Moses coming back: We had to make him comfortable on how we insure him.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) December 31, 2019
As a sophomore, Moses was a finalist for the Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker in addition to carrying the team high of 86 tackles for the season. Moses should fill a huge leadership role for the Tide in 2020.
While the Alabama Football team has been in Orlando prepping for the Citrus Bowl against Michigan, star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been hinting at his own and other Juniors’ decision to return. Fans and media are reading far more between the lines than Tua likely intended, but it speaks to the impact his return would have on the team and the 2020 season.
During his press conference this week, Saban implied that he didn’t believe any of the Juniors should be leaving early for the Draft. Saban believes only those with a top-15 grade should consider leaving. Only one guy earned that rating- Tua Tagovailoa.
Saban said he understands if a projected top-15 draft pick chose not to play in the bowl game.
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) December 30, 2019
"We only have one guy that has that high of a grade, and he's not going to play in the grade because he's injured. And that injury might affect his grade."
AKA Tua Tagovailoa.
The last line gives some indication that Saban might believe Tua should return for his senior season as well.
Rumors of Henry Ruggs III returning have gotten new light recently as well with the possibility of his younger brother transferring to join him with the Tide. Kevontae Ruggs originally played at Ole Miss before transferring to East Mississippi Community College for personal reasons with their family. Despite this news, Henry Ruggs has kept quiet about the possibility focusing on the bowl game ahead.
Despite the recent rumors of Henry Ruggs returning and a possible bring in of his brother Kevontae, he kept all rumors silent. He was recently asked about these rumors in Orlando but kept it all quiet. Doesn't mean these rumors aren't true, he's just not discussing them right now pic.twitter.com/0JzR14oQpv
— Mason (@BamaBunker) December 30, 2019
Once the Citrus Bowl is over on New Years Day, many other Juniors will likely make their announcement on whether or not they choose to return for their senior seasons. The deadline to decide is January 20th. Should all of the draft-eligible Juniors return for a 2020 revenge tour, it would certainly be one of Nick Saban’s most talented and experienced teams ever.
As Dylan Moses said, the 2020 goal will be to compete for a Championship. Perhaps he will be able to return the defense to the Alabama standard.