Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley (32)A week after Alabama redshirt junior quarterback AJ McCarron announced he was returning for his senior season, All-America junior linebacker C.J. Mosley followed suit for the Crimson Tide.
Mosley stated his decision following Thursday's two-hour indoor practice, which was Alabama's third on-campus workout for the BCS championship game against Notre Dame on Jan. 7.
"I'm staying for one more year," Mosley said. "There is a lot I still haven't accomplished yet as far as football goals, and I still want to get my degree. It really hasn't been a tough decision, because the whole time I knew I was going to stay."
The 6-foot-2, 232-pounder from Theodore, Ala., leads the Crimson Tide with 99 tackles, and he has seven tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Nationally, Alabama has the fewest total yards (246 per game) and fewest rushing yards (79.8) allowed.
Tide coach Nick Saban said earlier this week that he did not expect any players to join McCarron in rendering a decision before the BCS title game, but he obviously was thrilled.
"C.J. is an outstanding player and a really good leader," Saban said. "He's a guy who can have a tremendous impact on the game. We are really pleased and happy to have him back. This guy is one who will make you proud.
"He personally, academically and athletically has done extremely well in every way in terms of how he has represented himself, his family, our program and the University of Alabama."
Mosley, who signed in 2010 and is on track to graduate next December, was recently rated by CBS as the No. 3 outside linebacker and No. 22 overall prospect for the 2013 draft had he elected to leave early.
Tailback Eddie Lacy, right tackle D.J. Fluker and cornerback Dee Milliner are Alabama's three most prominent juniors who have yet to decide.
Pruitt hanging on
Alabama secondary coach Jeremy Pruitt was announced as Florida State's new defensive coordinator Thursday, but Pruitt will remain with the Crimson Tide through the BCS championship game in Miami. Pruitt is a former Alabama safety who has been an assistant under Saban since 2010.
"Jeremy has done a really good job here, and we're happy for him," Saban said.