Latest news with #ButkusAward
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Social media reacts to Alabama legend announcing NFL retirement
Social media reacts to Alabama legend announcing NFL retirement Former Jets, Ravens LB C.J. Mosley retiring from NFL. — NFL (@NFL) June 19, 2025 One of the greatest linebackers in Alabama Crimson Tide football history has now officially called it a career. Yes, on Thursday morning, former Alabama and NFL star C.J. Mosley officially announced his retirement from the game of football following 11 seasons in the league. Mosley is the second former Alabama great to announce their retirement from the NFL so far this offseason, joining wide receiver Julio Jones. A former first round pick from the 2014 NFL draft, Mosley played for two different teams across his 11 seasons in the league, the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets. Over that span, Mosley had a combined 1,083 tackles, 55 TFL, 12 sacks, 12 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, and nine fumble recoveries from 2014-24, while also making five Pro Bowl appearances. At Alabama from 2010-13, Mosley was a multi-year starter at inside linebacker for Alabama who compiled a total of 317 tackles, 24 TFL, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions, and two forced fumbles during his time in Tuscaloosa. Mosley was also a two-time national champion, a two-time All-American, the 2013 Butkus Award winner, and the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Let's take a look at some reactions on social media to the former Alabama great's retirement from the NFL. Just in: Former #Ravens and #Jets LB C.J. Mosley is retiring from the NFL today on his 33rd birthday, he told @mzenitz of CBS. A former first-round pick out of Alabama, Mosley was a 5-time Pro Bowler and 5-time All-Pro during his standout career. — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 19, 2025 JUST IN: Jets and Ravens LB C.J. Mosley is retiring from football. A tremendous 11-year career for the former all-pro. — uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) June 19, 2025 Happy retirement to former All-American, Butkus winner, 2x national champion, SEC Defensive Player of the year and responsible for one of the most underrated plays in Alabama history. Legendary player CJ Mosley (@TreyDeuce32RTR) — Andrew Bone (@AndrewJBone) June 19, 2025 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: CJ Mosley is retiring from the NFL. A former first-round pick out of Alabama, a 5-time Pro Bowler, and a 5-time All-Pro during his standout career. What a legendary career 👏 — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 19, 2025 Five-time All-Pro linebacker CJ Mosley is retiring, he tells @CBSSports. The former Ravens and Jets captain posted over 1,000 tackles in 11 NFL seasons. At The University of Alabama, Mosley won the Butkus Award, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and back-to-back national titles. — Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) June 19, 2025 Happy retirement to Bama legend CJ Mosley — 🅱️🅰️Ⓜ️ (@_bigbam_) June 19, 2025 CJ Mosley has retired from the NFL What a great career 👏 #PMSLive — Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 19, 2025 Congratulations to Alabama Legend C.J. Mosley on his incredible football career. — Cruz Oxenreider (@TheRealCruzOx) June 19, 2025 Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama football legend, 5-time Pro Bowl linebacker retiring from NFL after 11 years
Alabama football legend, 5-time Pro Bowl linebacker retiring from NFL after 11 years C.J. Mosley was a special player from the moment he first stepped onto the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide in September 2010. A 4-star recruit from Theodore High School who was named a Parade All-American, Mosley's four-year playing career in Tuscaloosa from 2010-13 would include such accolades as being a two-time All-American, the 2013 Butkus Award winner, and a member of two national championship teams. Mosley was a first-round pick (No. 17 overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2014 NFL Draft. On Thursday, the day of his 33rd birthday, Mosley announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons -- the last six of which were spent with the New York Jets. Mosley said in a post to Instagram: "Once upon a time, a kid from Mobile, Alabama, had a dream to do great things on the football field. I followed you my whole life not knowing where you would take me. To envision myself as a Ray Lewis or a Brian Urlacher was just the first steps of this 11-year journey. You opened doors that I once only dreamed of. You gave me passion. You gave me strength, self-endurance, pain and, most importantly, being able to trust and lead men. Today, it is time to wake up from my childhood dream and share with the next generation. I spent my whole life and career building my legacy. Now it's time to start a new chapter with new dreams. It won't be easy. I'm here to tell you, every sacrifice is worth it. When you wake up, what will your legacy look like?" Injuries limited to Mosley to four games in 2024. Before that, he was a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season with the Ravens in 2014, which also included runner-up AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors behind Aaron Donald of the Rams. Mosley garnered three straight Pro Bowl selections from 2016-18 and was a Pro Bowl selection again in 2022. For his 10-year NFL playing career, Mosley will finish with 1,083 tackles, 55 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 40 quarterback hits, 10 forced fumbles and 53 pass breakups in 133 games. C.J. Mosley's Alabama career stats, highlights In his four seasons at Alabama, Mosley played in 51 games for the Crimson Tide and had 317 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions and 17 pass breakups from 2010-13. One of those interceptions was a pick of LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson during the third quarter of Alabama's 21-0 shutout victory over the Tigers in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game at the Superdome in New Orleans. Mosley had a 16-yard pick-six touchdown against Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson in Alabama's 41-14 win in the 2012 season opener in Arlington, Texas. In his 2010 freshman season, Mosley had a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown against Florida quarterback John Brantley's in the Crimson Tide's 31-6 win over the Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mosley was named the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, the same season he won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. Alabama's combined win-loss record in Mosley's four seasons was 46-7. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinion.
UPI
a day ago
- Sport
- UPI
Pro Bowl linebacker C.J.Mosley retires from NFL
1 of 5 | Veteran linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) appeared in just four games last season for the New York Jets. File Photo by Chris Szagola/UPI | License Photo June 19 (UPI) -- Former Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley will retire from the NFL, the five-time Pro Bowl selection announced Thursday on social media. Mosley, 33, entered the league as the No. 17 overall pick by the Ravens in the 2014 NFL Draft. He signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Jets in 2019. "Once upon a time, a kid from Mobile, Ala., had a dream to do great things on the football field," Mosley said in a video posted to his Instagram and X accounts. "I followed you my whole life not knowing where you would take me. "To envision myself as a Ray Lewis or a Brian Urlacher was was just the first step of this 11-year journey. You opened doors that I once only dreamed of. You gave me passion. You gave me strength, self endurance, pain and most importantly, the DNA to trust and lead men. "Today, it is time to wake up from my childhood dream and share with the next generation." Mosley, who sat out in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, totaled 1,083 combined tackles, including 687 solo takedowns over 133 career appearances. He logged 55 tackles for a loss, 53 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, 12 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and three touchdowns over his decorated NFL tenure. The 6-foot-2, 231-pound defender totaled a career-high 168 combined tackles and 103 solo tackles in 2021 for the Jets. Mosley totaled 17 combined tackles over four appearances in 2024, when he missed 13 games because of toe and neck injuries and lost his starting job to Jamien Sherwood. Mosley received Pro Football Focus' third-best defensive rating among linebackers who were in for at least 80% of 1,170 snaps -- the most by any linebacker -- in 2023. He received the top coverage rating at the position that season. He received the 15th-best defensive rating in 2022, when he earned second-team All-Pro honors for the fifth time of his career. Mosley was the fifth-rated linebacker in 2017 and rated seventh as a rookie. "I spent my whole life and career building my legacy," said Mosley, a former All-American who won SEC Defensive Player of the Year, the Butkus Award and two national titles while at Alabama before entering the NFL. "Now it's time to start a new chapter with new dreams. It wont be easy. I'm here to tell you every sacrifice is worth it. When you wake up, what will your legacy look like?"
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the 2025 Browns rookies on their potential impact
Ranking the 2025 Browns rookies on their potential impact The Cleveland Browns draft class is expected to play substantial roles in the 2025 regular season, even both quarterbacks. The Browns came away with seven talented playmakers who, of course, come with high expectations from fans. The majority of the Browns' draft class is projected to start or have a significant role in the game plan on regular season Sundays. For each player, the opportunity to showcase their potential will more than likely arise at some point during their rookie season. Now, let's rank the Browns' rookies based on who could make the biggest impact in their first NFL season: 1. Quinshon Judkins The Browns' early second-round selection is expected to be the starting running back when Week 1 arrives. With fan favorite Nick Chubb not returning, the team appears to have full confidence in Judkins and fellow rookie running back, fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson. Following the 2025 NFL Draft, it's clear the Browns intend to redevelop their rushing attack. In 2024, the team totaled just 1,608 rushing yards and averaged 4.1 yards per carry, both bottom five in the NFL. Judkins is expected to be heavily involved in the Browns' offense starting in Week 1. 2. Carson Schwesinger Next up among those expected to make a strong impact is second-round pick, linebacker Carson Schwesinger. The former UCLA Bruin was highly regarded in the Browns' draft room and was selected with the 33rd overall pick. He left mandatory OTAs with an impressive showing that demonstrated his potential as a starting linebacker. Schwesinger brings an impressive résumé, totaling 163 tackles, five sacks, and a nomination for the Butkus Award. With the departure of defensive star Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, the rookie is expected to be the Day 1 starter at weakside linebacker. 3. Mason Graham There hasn't been much hype around rookie defensive tackle Mason Graham, but expectations for him are very high. The Browns' decision to boost the defensive line with the fifth overall pick brings immediate pressure from both the franchise and the fanbase. Barring injury, Graham will start at right defensive tackle in Week 1. The defensive line — and Graham specifically — also face heightened expectations due to the recent extension of All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett. While Graham may not become the NFL sack leader, he's expected to be a productive run defender early in his career. With two major offseason moves on the defensive front, major improvements are anticipated. 4. Shedeur Sanders / Dillon Gabriel You could make a strong argument that both of the Browns' rookie quarterbacks deserve the top spot. Despite their draft positions, all eyes are on Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to make a positive impact in 2025. Many fans are hopeful that at least one of these rookies will emerge as a capable starter during the regular season. If either of them becomes a viable starter for the Browns, the impact could be enormous. However, they rank lower here due to the competition they face from veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Both rookies have a battle ahead before earning regular-season snaps with the starting offense. Until then, their primary goal is to win the starting quarterback job. 5. Harold Fannin Jr. One of the better performances from OTAs that has flown under the radar came from third-round pick, tight end Harold Fannin Jr. The former Bowling Green Falcon was one of the most versatile playmakers in college football last season, leading the nation with 1,555 receiving yards. He also brings much-needed depth and versatility to the Browns' tight end room. It's hard to judge players solely from OTAs, but support for Fannin Jr. only grew throughout camp. The rookie tight end appeared in great shape and showed reliable hands with minimal drops in various videos on Twitter/X. With head coach Kevin Stefanski known for utilizing two-tight end sets, excitement around Fannin Jr.'s potential continues to build. 6. Dylan Sampson After surprisingly slipping to the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns doubled down on revamping the running back room. Dylan Sampson is an explosive back who has looked healthy, quick, and hardworking at the start of his NFL career. He's coming off an impressive college season, tallying 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns for the College Football Playoff-bound Tennessee Volunteers. While Sampson will have to earn his touches, he is expected to have a significant role in the Browns' run game. The team clearly values fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins, but a two-headed rushing attack — something the Browns ran successfully in 2020 — could be in play again.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
5-star LB Tyler Atkinson taking Georgia official visit
5-star LB Tyler Atkinson taking Georgia official visit The Georgia Bulldogs are preparing for another significant official visit weekend and while the number of visitors might be lower, Athens is set to host several elite recruits. Among them is five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. Atkinson is a familiar face in Athens, having visited Georgia multiple times for camps and prior visits. The Bulldogs have been actively recruiting him for years, using these in-person opportunities to sway Atkinson to come play between the hedges. Georgia has been the well-known leader for Atkinson and many people look at him as a potential future Butkus Award winner for the Bulldogs if he joins the program. Georgia has made Atkinson a top priority throughout his time during high school and needs to land a top an in-state prospect like him. This official visit will go a long way in determining if the Bulldogs can land Atkinson and keep him home from the other contenders. The five-star class of 2026 prospect went on official visits to Oregon and Clemson already and both teams are making a strong push for Atkinson. The Bulldogs also are after five-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan. They already have a commitment from five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, who is the only five-star in Georgia's fifth-ranked recruiting class. Ranked as the nation's No. 8 overall recruit by the On3 Industry Rankings, Atkinson is one of the best players in the nation. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound linebacker had a dominant junior year. He led Grayson to a 14-1 record and a Georgia AAAAAA state championship, racking up 166 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. 247Sports projects that Atkinson will commit to Georgia football.
