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ESPN Senior Writer- College football reporter
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Graduate of the University of Tennessee
Alabama All-American linebacker C.J. Mosley said Thursday he plans to return to school for his senior season.
Mosley, who leads the Crimson Tide in tackles with 99, said he made his decision weeks ago and already had informed family members. Mosley is a key part of the Alabama defense. With his versatility, he's one of the surest tacklers on the team and also one of the best coverage linebackers in college football.
"I still have a lot of things that I want to accomplish in college and I felt like it was best for me to come back and improve as a player and learn under coach [Nick] Saban for another year," Mosley said.
Mosley is on track to receive his undergraduate degree in December, and said that was also a big factor in his decision to return to school. He's rated the No. 25 overall player by Scouts Inc.
"He's an outstanding player, a really good leader, a guy that can have a tremendous impact on the game," Saban said of Mosley. "We're really pleased and happy to have him back. It's important to him and his family to get an education. We're certainly pleased and happy that he's going to continue to develop.
"He's a guy that's gotten bigger and stronger every year. He's gotten to be a better and better player. I think next year, as he matures physically, he's even going to get bigger and stronger and continue to improve how physical he can play."
Meanwhile, Alabama starting tailback Eddie Lacy and starting cornerback Dee Milliner are holding off on plans for their future until after the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7. The pair of juniors will wait to determine whether turning pro and entering the NFL draft is the right decision for them.
"I have not made a decision on that yet," Lacy, who led Alabama with 1,215 yards rushing, said on Thursday afternoon. "That's not something I'm thinking about at this time. We have another game left. I have to talk to my parents about it. I have to talk to Coach Saban about it.
"That's an external factor that we cannot allow us to affect us right now. So after the bowl game, after we sit down, we'll make a decision."
Milliner, who is seventh on ESPN's Todd McShay's 2013 Mock NFL draft, said he's taking the same route. For now, he wants to focus on Notre Dame and the final game of the season for Alabama.
"I haven't taken the time out to think about it yet," he said. "After the game I'm going to sit down with my family and Coach Saban and make the best choice for my future."
Quarterback AJ McCarron said last week that he would come back to Tuscaloosa for another year.