New NCAA Ruling Could Impact Alabama LB

On Monday, the NCAA announced it is granting a waiver for additional eligibility for junior college players who would have exhausted their eligibility in 2024 and will be unable to play in 2025.

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The NCAA's decision could affect one player on the Crimson Tide's roster. Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson previously exhausted his eligibility after the 2024 college football season. Jefferson spent two seasons in junior college before transferring to Alabama in 2023 and playing what would have been his final season of college football in 2024. Jefferson previously would have exhausted his eligibility after Alabama's bowl game against Michigan in the Reliaquest Bowl on December 31.

Jefferson played his first two seasons at Pearl River Community College before enrolling at Alabama in 2023.

The NCAA's waiver on Monday follows the organization's being sued by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. Pavia argued his time at New Mexico Military Institute (junior college) should not count against his eligibility. Pavia was granted another year of eligibility, which opened the door for other former JUCO athletes to be awarded the same eligibility.

Jefferson played in all 14 games for Alabama in 2023, primarily on special teams. In 2024, he appeared in 11 games with two starts, including the Iron Bowl. Jefferson is expected to make his third start in an Alabama uniform against Michigan.

Jefferson has totaled 51 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble this season for Alabama.

If Jefferson does choose to return for a fifth year of eligibility, ALabama would have more depth in a 2025 linebacker room that is likely going to lose Jihaad Campbell to the NFL draft and could lose Deontae Lawson, a redshirt junior who is faced with a similar NFL draft decision.