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Alabama football’s middle linebacker unit enters this season as one of the team’s most solid position groups, thanks to the depth and experience carried over from the 2023 roster.
The Crimson Tide bring back Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell, along with Jeremiah Alexander and Justin Jefferson, from last season. It adds four true freshmen to its roster and loses four members from 2023: Kendrick Blackshire (transfer to Texas), Ian Jackson (transfer to UTSA), Shawn Murphy (transfer to Florida State) and Trezmen Marshall (declared for NFL Draft).
Also new for Crimson Tide players is new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Kane Wommack, who will install his “Swarm” 4-2-5 defensive scheme. Under coach Nick Saban, coach Robert Bala was in charge of inside linebackers while Coleman Hutzler coached the outside linebackers.
Here is how Alabama’s linebacker room looks heading into fall camp. Every scholarship player and any notable walk-on is mentioned:
The options for Alabama football at linebackers
Projected starters: Jihaad Campbell, jr.; Deontae Lawson, r-jr.
Reserves: Jeremiah Alexander, r-so.; Justin Jefferson, sr.; Sterling Dixon, fr.; Cayden Jones, fr.; Justin Okoronkwo, fr.; Quinton Reese, fr.
Lawson, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound redshirt junior, started in 11 games for the Crimson Tide, having to miss three contests due to injury. Lawson finished the season with 67 tackles, 5.5 of those for loss, to go with three sacks, four quarterback hurries and four pass breakups. He also was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award in 2023, an award presented annually to the top linebacker in the nation.
Campbell has battled injuries during his time at the Capstone but should enter the season at full health. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound junior made eight starts for Alabama last season and saw time in 13 games. He recorded 66 tackles, four for…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/know-alabama-football-linebackers-fall-091112935.html
Author : The Tuscaloosa News
Publish date : 2024-07-28 09:11:12
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