MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football's Nick Mobley recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what he's learned under the three coaching staff's he's played for, how he's tried to remain part of the program and his civil engineering program, among other things.

Mobley, a senior from Alabaster, Ala.., has been a member of the Jaguar since the 2017 season earning letters each of the past three seasons. However, a neck injury was discovered prior to the start of fall camp that ended his playing career. Last season, Mobley started all 11 games and recorded a career-best 94 total tackles, earning honorable mention all-Sun Belt Conference honors while also earning third-team all-league recognition from Phil Steele Publications. He ranked third in the Sun Belt and among the top 60 in the country in tackles per game.

What is one or two things that you will take with you from you time at South Alabama?
"The biggest thing I'll take with me is that you've got to have faith. I came here as a walk-on and ended my last competitive season as an all-conference linebacker, while pursuing a civil engineering degree and running a ministry. There were many nights where I wondered if I should be doing this, or should I drop something. There were some nights where I was up all night doing homework, or doing film study, when a lot of other people where out having fun. They would ask if I was coming out, and I would have to tell them that I couldn't. The thing that I understand now is that through all the hard work and through all the diligence, it kind of left a legacy. I wasn't the flashiest and sometimes was thought of as the bookworm or the 'church' dude, but I was just me. I had faith and if I was going to be who I was, I was going to be me to my fullest extent. I really feel like I left a legacy here for anyone who comes here. No matter where you come from, I feel that there's something someone can take from my story."

You have been under three different coaching staffs here at South. What is something that you've learned from each?
"Under [former head coach] Joey Jones and the rest of that coaching staff, I would say that I learned the landscape of college football. When I first arrived here, I learned about balancing meetings and classes. This wasn't high school anymore. If I wanted to excel at the pace that I wanted to, I had to come with that expectation to be the best that I could in terms of film study, conditioning and working out. Just how you go about your technique and football life in general. 
"Under Coach [Steve] Campbell, the big thing was toughness. Anything we were going to do, we were going to be tough doing it. I feel like I've always been a tough person, but under that staff my toughness grew. 
"I spent a short time with Coach [Kane] Wommack before I was given my retirement letter, but he kind of echoed what Coach Jones had said. There's an expectation and a pro mentality. He was my defensive coordinator when I first got here. The biggest thing though was to know what you're supposed to do, do it well and execute. We don't have to be here all day, but when we're in here, we're going to work and meet the expectation."

Prior to the start of fall camp, you received the news that you weren't going to be cleared to play. How did you receive that news and what were your immediate thoughts?
"It was tough. It was also crazy because I was actually about to have surgery anyway because I had torn my labrum in my hip. I had already accepted that I was going to be out for the season and was fine with that. My plan was to rehab and come back next season, but my neck said no to that. It was definitely tough, but the faith aspect was important. It didn't make any sense to me and I questioned why, but because of my faith I knew I didn't have all the answers but knew that there was a God above that does. There are several things I can look back on, but I wouldn't change anyone of them. Especially football because where I'm going to go, I can't see it, but when I get to the destination, it's going to be beautiful."

How have you tried to remain part of the program?
"I wake up every morning and go workout with them. When I can, I show up to practices. I just try to help around where ever I can whether someone needs help moving equipment or the sports medicine staff needs help. You also have to know when to get out of the way, so it's a balance. Help when you can and when you can't get out of the way and cheer them on."

What is your focus now?
"I'm focused on finishing my engineering degree and working on getting an internship. I'm also continuing to work on the ministry I lead. Really the same stuff, just without football."

What do you want to do with your civil engineering degree?
"My options right now are really open. Anywhere that's open to giving me a great experience, an ability to learn and pushes me to be the best version of me, I want it. I have a focus in structural [engineering], but I've told people in my interviews that whatever they have for me, I'll take it."

How did you decide on that as a career path?
"I really enjoy art and fell in love with it. I just found myself drawing all the time. I love designing stuff. I originally thought about going into architecture, but my mom came up to me one day and suggested civil engineering because of the way the profession was growing with a lot of opportunities available. I fell in love with the structural side of it, but I also enjoyed the other disciplines."

What factored into your decision to come to South Alabama?
"I had two options. I could go to an engineering school up north that was D-III, or come to South Alabama. Something told me that I was going to walk on and make a way for myself. I knew I was good enough to play at any level, but I just felt this is where God wanted me to be."

What would you say is the biggest difference in Nick Mobley that arrived here in 2017 and the current version of yourself?
"That's a deep question, but the biggest thing I would say that has changed about me would be my wisdom because of all the experiences that I've had. I intentionally put myself in a place to experience a lot under pressure so I could be the best version of me. Walking on, earning a scholarship, working on the ministry as well as the civil engineering degree have given me a lot of experiences. I feel that I've given a blueprint. My blueprint might be different. I didn't have a lot of swag and last season I played as an all-conference linebacker at 198 pounds. I wasn't the fastest; I run a five-flat [40-yard dash] and played with a torn labrum, but I found a way. I was going to break down my opponent where I understood their offense or what type of game plan that they had. I wasn't going to get tired; I would run a mile after practice every day. I continually worked on my craft and technique. For everybody, especially a walk on, or anyone who feels like they're not good enough or have been overlooked, I feel that I've given them a blueprint."
 
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