A legendary Alabama LB is calling it a career after an 11-year run in the NFL

Former Alabama LB C.J. Mosley, a 5-time Pro Bowler and 5-time 2nd team All-Pro, announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday after 11 seasons spent with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets.

Mosley was the 17th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Ravens, spending the first five years of his career in Baltimore. In 2019, Mosley signed a big contract as a free agent with the Jets, where he would spend the last six years of his career.

Mosley made the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro five times: 2014 (as a rookie), 2016-18, and 2022. He finished his NFL career with over 1000 tackles. He took no time breaking into the league, finishing runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year and being named to the All-Pro second-team in his first season in the NFL.

Four of his five All-Pro seasons took place in Baltimore, but he did have a resurgent year in New York in 2022, making his only All-Pro team with the Jets that season.

C.J. Mosley was a legendary LB for the Alabama Crimson Tide

Mosley was a good pro, but not at the Hall of Fame level. That's okay, because he'll forever be remembered by Alabama fans as one of the top linebackers in Tide history.

Mosley picked up right where Rolando McClain and Don'ta Hightower left off in Tuscaloosa.

Mosley joined Alabama in the 2010 recruiting class, where he was a consensus 4-star recruit out of Theodore, Alabama. Mosley wasted little time making a name for himself, breaking out as a starter during his second season at Alabama.

Mosley was a two-time National Champion during his career with the Crimson Tide, helping Alabama win the BCS Championship in both 2011 and 2012. He made what was effectively a game-sealing interception of Jordan Jefferson in Alabama's national title win over LSU in 2011.

Mosley played a pivotal role in Alabama's 2012 National Championship season, and made a game-saving play in Alabama's SEC Championship win over Georgia that booked the Tide's place against Notre Dame in Miami. Mosley tipped an Aaron Murray pass at the line of scrimmage that fell in the hands of a Bulldogs recever, short of the goal line and in-bounds. The clock ran out on Georgia as a result.

In his senior season in 2013, Mosley was the best LB in the country. He followed up an All-American season in 2012 by being named a unanimous All-American in 2013 and winning the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. He was also named the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year.

Mosley finished his Alabama career with a tie for the school record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown with three. That record was since broken by Minkah Fitzpatrick, but Mosley was the only LB on the list for the Crimson Tide.

Mosley's career in Tuscaloosa put him firmly in the conversation as the best LB of the Nick Saban era, a group that includes McClain, Hightower, Reggie Ragland, and Reuben Foster.