Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban has coached some great defensive players.
In the past five years, nine Alabama defenders have been taken in the first round of the NFL draft.
The list is Mosley, safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, cornerback Dee Milliner, safety Mark Barron, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, linebacker Dont'a Hightower, defensive end Marcell Dareus, linebacker Rolando McClain and cornerback Kareem Jackson.
Saban said Mosley is the best playmaker of the bunch – quite a compliment. The Crimson Tide coach raved about his former player.
"I think C.J. Mosley is one of the finest football players and finest people I've ever had the opportunity to coach," Saban said on ESPN shortly before the first round began.
"This guy actually makes more plays on the football field, plays faster, reacts more quickly than anybody that I've ever had the opportunity to coach."
Alabama players are known for being physically gifted. Mosley isn't the biggest guy at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds. He reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.6-second at his Pro Day after not doing that or the bench press at the combine.
"I don't care what his measurables are, he is so instinctive and so athletic," Saban said. "For an inside backer, he's a guy that can play all three downs. He can cover well because he's such a good athlete."
The Ravens have a history of drafting players out of Saban's program. They already have two former Crimson Tide defensive standouts on the team in outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw and nose tackle Terrence Cody.
"I'm just excited to add on to the tradition of bringing some Alabama players [to Baltimore]," Mosley said. "It was a great vibe from the Alabama connection that I have [with] the Ravens."
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