Two More Key Alabama Defenders Announce Return for Senior Seasons

While it is a yearly tradition in Tuscaloosa for many Alabama players to declare for the NFL Draft, Crimson Tide fans have received some good news today with some key players from the 2021 team electing to come back.

The big news of the morning was linebacker Henry To'o To'o announcing his return to the Capstone. Since then, Alabama has gained some more good news, with defensive linemen DJ Dale announcing his return for his senior season.

Dale, a Birmingham native, ascended as the season went on and seemed to get better later in the season, finishing with 18 tackles, four of them being for a loss, and two sacks on the year.

Shortly after Dale's announcement, DeMarcco Hellams, who stepped up into a starting safety role in 2021, announced his return as well. Hellams finished the year with 88 tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions with three. Similar to To'o To'o, both players echoed the sentiment of feeling they have "unfinished business" to take care of.

All three men deciding to stay for their senior season will give the Crimson Tide a tremendous boost on defense in 2022, both talent-wise and experience-wise, and in all three phases of the defense.

While losing Jameson Williams, John Metchie, Slade Bolden, Josh Jobe, and undoubtedly more will hurt, Alabama fans should be quite thrilled with the total scope of draft news so far today.