Alabama’s Young Linebacker Room Has Stepped Up This Spring

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - With spring practice in full swing, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer offered an update on one of the most vital position groups: the linebackers.

Get our free mobile app

The linebacker group has always been a fiery unit for the Crimson Tide, but the current group has suffered from the absence of Deontae Lawson do to recovery from an injury and Justin Jefferson, who is battling through an injury as well. With the two not set to return until the fall, the Crimson Tide have been leaning heavily on their youthful core- particularly a handful of freshman linebackers who have made strong impressions.

DeBoer emphasized player development and depth-building during the spring period. With Lawson and Jefferson not being able to participate, the door has opened for a new wave of talent to get extended reps.

"There’s some really young guys. The three freshmen are going to be really good players. We ask a lot out of that position. They’re the ones that wear the earpieces, make the calls. Now going into Year 2, we’re even more diverse than what we were and putting a little bit more on their shoulders. Kind of taking those next steps as a defense with the concepts we’re putting in, refining some of the things we did last year, adding to some of those things as well," said DeBoer when asked how the younger linebackers are coming along with the absence of Lawson and Jefferson.

While this past season saw mainly upperclassmen anchor the middle of the defense, this spring has provided a glimpse into the future of the linebacker corps, and DeBoer expressed confidence in the direction the group is heading.

“Abduall [Sanders], Luke [Metz], Duke [Johnson], all three of them have been making plays out there, running sideline-to-sideline. That’s one thing they do best. And then QB [Reese] is a guy that’s out there directing traffic. He had a really good spring as well. I’m proud of the way those guys have just taken the bull by the horns and rolled with it," said DeBoer.

With the Crimson Tide taking the field in 148 days against FSU, the linebacker group will continue to be a storyline to watch. Lawson and Jefferson's eventual return will bring stability, but for now, it's the younger corps who are turning heads and laying the groundwork for what could be another dominant defensive unit.