He made his presence felt versus Clemson last season in the Sugar Bowl and despite a knee injury sidelining him for the College Football Playoff national title game, Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings is back and anticipates having a monster year along the defensive front.
Hailing from Dadeville, Ala., the redshirt junior totaled 41 tackles – including six for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles during the 2017 season. His shining moment came against the Tigers, where he collected five tackles (three for loss), one sack and a pass breakup that ended up being an interception for Da’Ron Payne.
The 6-foot-3, 266-pounder was selected a preseason candidate for the Lott IMPACT Trophy on Tuesday, per the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation. Named after Ronnie Lott, the Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented to college football’s best defensive player in terms of performance and character.
While DeMeco Ryan was the last Crimson Tide player to win the award in 2005, Jennings (should he remain healthy) has the potential to take home the prize with a solid performance in the fall.
Tracking UA players on preseason lists
QB Jalen Hurts, Maxwell and Davey O’Brien
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Maxwell
RB Damien Harris, Maxwell and Doak Walker
DE Raekwon Davis, Chuck Bednarik
LB Mack Wilson, Chuck Bednarik
LB Anfernee Jennings, Chuck Bednarik and Lott IMPACT
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
