TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Head coach Karen DeBoer said Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore will not be suspended for his late outburst against Vanderbilt. Game, he will start Saturday against South Carolina. Moore’s actions, which included throwing away his mouthpiece, appearing to refuse to be substituted in the final moments of the game and subsequently kicking the ball, resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Moore, a fifth-grader and team captain, issued a public apology on social media Monday morning:
— Kinggchi👑 (@malachi_moore13) October 7, 2024
Defensive coordinator Kane Womack’s view Monday was that the decision to try to replace Moore was to give him a chance to cool off on the sidelines. But Womack noted that now may not be a good time to do so.
“He does things to the level and standard that we want him to,” Womack said. “At that moment, he was a little emotional, so we had to try to calm him down. Sometimes, in situations like this, it’s better to calm them down later. But again, I think he handled it very well from that point on. Good and taking on the accountability that Coach DeBoer has put in place and he’s done a really good job moving forward.
The situation is described as being handled internally. DeBoer had nothing but praise for Moore’s character on Monday. Moore was a stabilizing force in keeping Alabama’s roster intact during the head coaching transition, which is largely why he, Jalen Milroe, Tyler Booker and Deontay Lawson were hired before the season began For the reason of permanent captain.
“Everything he’s done, he’s been out of his control,” DeBoer said. “After the game and into (Monday) morning, everything was brought up by him but also part of our conversation.
“What I want Bama fans to know is this guy has been a rock and been as critical a presence as the others; and a few others — in keeping this thing together since January. When a lot of men choose to leave, this man stands firm. Yes, there are things he regrets and wishes he might not have done, but he admits it and we’re there. Processed in-house and still processed in-house.
📺Our co-host, former Alabama running back Damien Harris (@DHx34), lambasted Alabama DB Malachi Moore for losing his temper at Vanderbilt.
“Everything you do on the pitch is complete nonsense. You are a two-time captain.”
tmrw until Saturday: https://t.co/2rlzM0YjjQ @DavidDuben pic.twitter.com/ZZnjgNMsfn
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 7, 2024
Otis entry portal
During a press conference on Monday, ESPN reported that Jahim Ortiz plans to redshirt the rest of the season and enter the transfer portal. Otis has two tackles and a pass deflection in four games this season and has no tackles recorded against Vanderbilt by Pro Football Focus. He still has two years of eligibility remaining.
“It feels like things are moving in that direction,” DeBoer said. “I think what you also have to understand is there are other factors to this, right. There’s a health element. There’s a life element. I love these guys. They work hard. The choices Jashim makes and the things that happen — they all happen for a reason. ‘s. He’s informed and has informed and continues to keep in touch with us that it kind of feels like it might be going in that direction — not just today, or yesterday, or the last few days.
“We’re moving forward with guys that can really help us win and focus on our plan. As we go through this, I don’t want to put it into words, but you always want what’s best for everybody, and Jay Him is one of them.
Otis is a former four-star recruit who earned a prominent role and earned All-SEC freshman honors in his first season in 2022. And injuries in spring training continued to plague him into the summer. Alabama’s defensive line rotation is pretty deep, with six players getting significant snaps every week (Tim Keenan, Tim Smith, Ja-Marion Latham, LT Overton , Damon Payne and James Smith), but Otis loses a lot due to his size, experience and production when fully healthy.
“I think for Jashim, obviously he’s been battling some injuries,” Womack said. “Not being able to perform or produce the way any of us want to. But what I’m really focused on are the guys that are going to do whatever it takes to help us win football games. So that’s really my focus right now.
(Photo: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
