AUBURN, Ala. – When T.D. Moultry first started playing football in the third grade, he didn't always believe it was for him. Truth be told, he only played because he was taller than most of the kids his age. However, now – as he enters his senior year at Auburn – he believes this is what he's meant to do.
The road hasn't always been easy. In high school, Moultry had to sit out his first year because of eligibility rules after transferring to Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham. Then, as a sophomore, he was hit by a stray bullet in the calf while hanging out with friends in a park before the season started. But he put in the work to recover and became stronger than he was before the incident.
"I was the one who motivated myself," Moultry said. "That's what changed everything. I changed my friends and where I hung out – everything from that point in my life changed."
On the field, Moultry switched from linebacker to safety prior to his junior year. He was faster, stronger, and by the end of that season, he was playing linebacker, safety and defensive end.
"I believe some people are meant to do something and some have to work hard," he said. "For some it happens right away, and for others it takes time to get to where they need to be. I know I'm the type of person who has to go through something to get where I want to be."
Through all the adversity, Moultry thrived and earned scholarship offers from both Alabama and Auburn. He chose Auburn, though, because "it felt like family."
Moultry made his impact felt right away at Auburn, playing immediately as a true freshman. He recorded three tackles against both Texas A&M and Alabama and had two tackles in the SEC championship game. He also earned Academic Top Tiger recognition in the classroom.
The Tigers beat Alabama that season and again last fall. Moultry, now 2-1 against their in-state rival in his career, considers those victories his favorite memories to this point. He would love nothing more than to make it 3-1 when the two sides clash this fall.
However, as he looks forward to his senior season, Moultry has his sights set on something bigger. He wants to win the SEC and national championship.
"A dream is just a dream without work," he said. "The guys who want it are putting the extra work in and doing what guys at other schools aren't doing. We have good young talent and senior leadership."
This season will look a little different because of COVID-19 and the various precautions surrounding it. Moultry knows that. He feels for the season-ticket holders and fans who go to every game and vows to give 100 percent each time out with or without fans present.
"We wouldn't be here without (the fans)," he said. "They paved the way for us to play on that field. When we win games, we always give back to them."
Moultry will have a different look as well this season, switching his jersey number from 55 to 99.
"I tried for a long time to live up to Carl Lawson, to live up to other guys who had worn this number (55)," Moultry said. "But now I have confidence in myself and I want to be myself and play to my abilities, so I am taking a new number for my senior year."
Moultry, who is majoring in interdisciplinary studies and plans to graduate in spring 2021, is ready to put in the work off the field as well. One of his goals this year is to make the Dean's List. He hopes his education combined with his experience will help him one day start his own business after football is over.
But as the season ramps up, the focus is on finishing his career the right way.
"What I do, I do for my family and that means the Auburn Family," Moultry said. "We're together as one, together and passionate about the smallest human being to its largest athlete. That support and bond are so motivational to all of us."