Forty-nine games into his Auburn career and super-senior T.D. Moultry did not have a start to his name. Forty-nine games of lacking confidence and belief in himself. But after his 50th game and first career start, there is no turning back.
"I never seen it in myself for real, and the confidence was never there," Moultry said. "But now I’ve got the confidence and I believe I can do all the positions."
After Saturday’s 60-10 win over Akron, the T.D. Moultry that committed to play at Auburn as one of the nation’s top recruits came out.
Moultry posted seven tackles on Saturday, which tied a team-high, and a career-high three tackles for loss.
To open the season, Moultry started on the defensive line as an edge rusher, his first start ever. Moultry played both on the outside and some on the interior, alongside Derick Hall. Both Hall and Moultry have thoroughly embraced the idea of moving around on the line.
“It shows how versatile I am and what I can do,” Moultry said. “This new coaching staff can see that. I believe I can do all the positions, outside and inside as well."
Moultry’s hard work and newfound belief in himself paid off even further when, this week, he was named an honorary captain for the team’s game against Alabama State, alongside right tackle Brodarious Hamm.
Now that both coaches and players have shown belief in Moultry, he is ready to be named a captain again.
"I want to get another one,” Moultry said. “Like five of these this year."
Many have questioned over the years why the T.D. Moultry experiment never panned out. He was passed up on rosters and sometimes even forgotten. Moultry blamed confidence and jitters, and a unstable self-belief that he could not shake.
Moultry noted he would get anxious before games, knowing he had not practiced or studied hard enough. He was candid that he never put in the work he knew he should have.
Saturday was where it all came together, mostly.
"Years in the past, I was nervous the day before because I wasn’t prepared," Moultry said. "When I walked on the field, that’s when the nerves kicked in just a little bit . It wasn’t any nervousness before I got on the field (on Saturday)."
Moultry is not only turning around his football career, but his academic one as well. Moultry admitted that alongside not applying himself on the field, he fell behind in the classroom.
Now, Moultry oozes motivation and his achievement in the class and in games reflects his hard work.
"I think it all started in the classroom," Moultry said. "With the best athletes, it starts in class. Last year, I didn't have a great year, and I didn't have a great year in class, either. So I was just making sure that after this season, just make sure my grades got back to where they should have been. I had my best GPA last year after football season ended at 3.2. I think it started in the classroom."
The spotlight is shining bright on the Birmingham native. The pressure is on to repeat his performance. When asked what he is going to do with this newfound role, Moultry said he can’t forget to stay being himself.
"I am grateful for the attention right now, but I just know when things are good, things are good," Moultry said. "But when things are bad, people tend to talk about you and forget the person and player that you are. And I have to remember the person and player who I am today. I just can't forget who I am."
Moultry, the self-proclaimed “walking millionaire” has his swagger back. It may have taken him longer than others, but better to bloom late than never. With confidence from teammates, coaches and finally himself, Moultry wants his performances going forward to resemble that against Akron.
"From this Saturday, and going forward, it is gonna be special," Moultry said.
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Henry Zimmer is from Jacksonville, Florida, and is currently in his fifth year with The Plainsman. He is currently the Sports Reporter and can be followed on Twitter here: @henryzimmer
