Teammates celebrate as Jamey Mosley earns scholarship

He was one of the them even if he was technically different, and perhaps that’s why the reaction of pure joy was so genuine. Not only for the players, who reveled in the moment, but for the coach nearly 50 years their senior, too, who knew that moments like this is where a team comes together.

When Nick Saban concluded a practice this week by awarding walk-on outside linebacker Jamey Mosley a scholarship, it provided a moment for every other player on the team to be selfless, to honestly celebrate in the achievement of another.

Maybe that’s why Saban looked so happy in announcing the news during his Tuesday-evening press conference. Maybe he saw the first signs of chemistry coming together for a team that has seen its fair share of distractions since the offseason, including arrests and high-profile transfers.

There was no player’s family speaking through reporters. There was no distraction of a player suddenly gone. There was only pure adulation for a guy who earned his way from walk-on to scholarship player by working hard and doing what was asked of him.

Mosley is the younger brother of former UA All-American C.J. Mosley, who may have been just as excited as the rest of the team when he took to Instagram and congratulated his little brother.

The rest of the team tweeted their congratulations. That was, of course, after they surrounded and mobbed him.

“When we were on the field after practice and coach Saban was saying that some scholarships were open…he said that Jamey Mosley was going to win one. We were all real excited and happy for him,” sophomore defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick said. “He works real hard in practice, probably harder than some people who have scholarships. We were all real happy for him.”

In what ways does Mosley standout on a team that is known for working hard?

“He’s always running to the ball, like coach says – 5-yard burst to the ball after the play,” Fitzpatrick said. “He’s running all the way across the field bursting to the ball. His energy goes around everybody else and gets everybody else better.”

Even his offensive teammates got in on the celebration.

“Jamey is such a hard worker. We all wanted it for him,” sophomore tight end Hale Hentges said. “Not only was Jamey excited, but our whole team was excited. We were clapping, cheering. Jamey deserves that. He deserves everything. We have a lot of great walk-ons who work really hard. But Jamey especially works very hard.”

Saban also hinted that Mosley might not be the only walk on to be rewarded.

“It makes me feel great. I think it makes the team feel great,” Saban said. “Obviously it’s a great reward for the player, but I’m telling you in this case Jamey earned this on his own. He’s worked really hard, he gives great effort in practice.

“When I announced it (Monday) night to the team there was a roar that went up. It’s heartfelt for me, but also it was sort of amazing to see hoe happy the players were for him. But that’s what a team is all about. I’m really happy for him. Hopefully we’ll have some other guys who will surface in that regard as well.”

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.