C.J. Mosley Bio
Clint Mosley Jr., widely known as C.J. Mosley, is an American former professional football linebacker who spent a decade in the National Football League. Born on June 19, 1992, in Theodore, Alabama, he played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide before being selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Mosley earned five Pro Bowl selections during his NFL career with the Ravens and the New York Jets and is widely regarded as one of the most consistent linebackers of his generation.
Early Life and Background
A native of Theodore, Alabama, Mosley attended Theodore High School, where he played football, basketball, and ran track. As a sophomore, he recorded 112 tackles, four sacks, and one interception for the Bobcats, who finished 6–5 and lost in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs. In his junior season, he set a school record with 176 tackles, including 115 solo stops, along with 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and two interceptions, earning ASWA 6A All-State honors.
As a senior in 2009, Mosley registered 186 tackles, seven sacks, five fumble recoveries, and four interceptions, leading Theodore to a 9–2 record. He finished as the school’s all-time leading tackler with more than 500 career stops and earned Class 6A Lineman of the Year recognition. He also competed in track and field, running the 110-meter hurdles in 16.15 seconds and posting personal bests in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump.
Path to Professional Football
Regarded as a four-star recruit, Mosley was listed as the sixth-ranked outside linebacker in his class by Rivals.com and the second-ranked player from Alabama. He played in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he committed to the Crimson Tide over Auburn, choosing Nick Saban’s program despite offers from Florida State, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
At Alabama, Mosley was a consensus Freshman All-American in 2010 and became a starting inside linebacker by his sophomore year. He led the team in tackles in both 2012 and 2013, earning first-team All-SEC and All-American honors in both seasons. He also captured the Butkus Award in 2013 as the nation’s top linebacker and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, helping Alabama win BCS national championships in 2011 and 2012.
C.J. Mosley Career
Early Career (2014)
Prior to the 2014 NFL draft, Mosley underwent surgery to repair a labrum issue stemming from a dislocated hip. He completed several drills at the NFL Scouting Combine and Alabama’s pro day, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds. Despite a lengthy injury history, he was widely projected as a first-round pick.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Mosley with the 17th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, making him the highest linebacker drafted from Alabama since Rolando McClain in 2010. He signed a four-year, $8.87 million contract and was assigned jersey No. 57, which had been unofficially retired in honor of O.J. Brigance. He started all 16 games as a rookie, recording 133 combined tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions on his way to a Pro Bowl selection and PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.
Baltimore Ravens Breakthrough (2014–2018)
Mosley quickly became a cornerstone of the Baltimore defense under head coach John Harbaugh. In 2015, he started all 16 games and registered 117 combined tackles, four sacks, and his first career touchdown on a fumble recovery. The following season, he earned second-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nod after posting 92 tackles and four interceptions in just 14 games.
In 2017, the Ravens exercised Mosley’s fifth-year option, and he responded with 132 combined tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and his first career interception return for a touchdown, earning another Pro Bowl selection. The 2018 campaign was highlighted by a game-winning interception against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, which clinched the AFC North title and sent Baltimore to the playoffs. He finished that season as the Ravens’ leading tackler and was named to his fourth Pro Bowl.
New York Jets Era (2019–2024)
On March 15, 2019, Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the New York Jets, becoming one of the league’s highest-paid linebackers. He made an immediate impact in his Jets debut, intercepting Josh Allen and returning it for a touchdown, but a groin injury cut his season short and required surgery. In August 2020, he opted out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mosley returned in 2021 and posted 168 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. He followed that with a 2022 campaign of 158 tackles, one interception, and seven passes defended, earning his fifth Pro Bowl selection. He continued producing in 2023 with 152 tackles and another interception, but injuries limited him to four games in 2024. The Jets released him on March 12, 2025, and on June 19, 2025, his 33rd birthday, Mosley announced his retirement from professional football.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mosley was prized for his exceptional football intelligence, sideline-to-sideline range, and reliable tackling in both run support and pass coverage. He excelled at reading offensive schemes and positioning himself to make plays on the ball, finishing his career with 1,083 total tackles, 12 interceptions, and 12 sacks. His consistency and leadership in the middle of the defense made him a foundational piece for both Baltimore and New York.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Mosley’s career came in Week 17 of the 2018 season, when his late interception of Baker Mayfield sealed a division-clinching win for the Ravens. He also became the first Baltimore rookie to earn a Pro Bowl selection and tied an Alabama record with three career interception returns for touchdowns during his college years.
C.J. Mosley Career Wins and Performances
Across his NFL career, Mosley totaled 1,083 combined tackles, 12 sacks, 12 interceptions, 53 pass deflections, 10 forced fumbles, 9 fumble recoveries, and 3 defensive touchdowns. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a five-time Second-team All-Pro, and a member of the PFWA All-Rookie Team, underscoring his durability and elite-level production over a full decade.
NFL Highlights
Mosley’s standout seasons included his 2014 rookie campaign with 133 tackles and a Pro Bowl nod, his 2017 season with 132 tackles and a pick-six, and his 2021 resurgence with the Jets when he posted 168 tackles. He was a consistent force in the middle of the field, repeatedly ranking among the top linebackers in the league by Pro Football Focus.
Other Achievements and Performances
At Theodore High School, Mosley set school records with 176 and 186 tackles in consecutive seasons. At Alabama, he was a two-time BCS national champion, a consensus Freshman All-American in 2010, the 2013 Butkus Award winner, and the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, cementing his legacy as one of the Crimson Tide’s all-time great linebackers.
C.J. Mosley Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mosley grew up in Theodore, Alabama, where he developed into one of the most decorated high school linebackers in state history. His younger brother, Jamey Mosley, is also a linebacker and briefly played alongside C.J. as a teammate on the New York Jets in 2019.
Personal Life
Throughout his NFL career, Mosley was widely respected in the locker room for his leadership and preparation. He announced his retirement from professional football on June 19, 2025, closing a chapter on a ten-year career that included five Pro Bowl selections and status as one of the top linebackers of his era.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transition rather than a competitive campaign for Mosley, as he had been released by the New York Jets on March 12, 2025. Rather than pursuing another opportunity, he announced his retirement from professional football on June 19, 2025, his 33rd birthday, stepping away from the game on his own terms.
His legacy entering retirement includes five Pro Bowl selections, five Second-team All-Pro honors, and more than 1,000 career tackles, placing him among the most productive linebackers of the 2010s. The decision concluded a decade-long career that began with a first-round selection by the Ravens and included stardom in both Baltimore and New York.
Looking ahead, Mosley is expected to remain connected to the sport through mentoring and potential front-office or coaching opportunities, though he has not publicly announced a specific next role. His influence on the linebacker position, particularly through his cerebral playing style and sideline-to-sideline consistency, is likely to be felt across the league for years to come.
