One of Alabama’s five-stars from its 2018 signing class was not at practice on Monday, and when head coach Nick Saban mentioned he did not contact the player, speculation went wild over social media.
Freshman linebacker Eyabi Anoma, who has been emerging the last few months under defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, was not working with outside linebackers. The Maryland native was granted a “personal day” from Saban to “sort some things out.”
Despite him not getting on the field a lot, the 245-pound edge rusher has played in 11 games and totaled nine tackles. Anoma accounts for two tackles for loss and one quarterback pressure, earning him a spot on the Southeastern Conference’s All-Freshman Team with Jaylen Waddle, Patrick Surtain II and Phidarian Mathis.
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This was the first practice in the Crimson Tide’s preparation for Oklahoma on Saturday, Dec. 29 that Anoma was not present.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get him back on track soon,” Saban said of the freshman.
Thoughts of him transferring immediately hit the minds of some; however, Anoma quickly rejected that idea on Twitter. The issue he is facing is one that is common for freshman.
Transfer possible?
— Bamaman8 (@david_harris25) December 17, 2018
He probably expected to be on the field playing more, but has not been rewarded the time he originally though he would receive. While this has frustrated many Tide standouts in recent years, sticking to Saban’s process and continuing to battle does have its benefits.
Offensive weapons Tua Tagovailoa and Jerry Jeudy saw it first-hand.
After having limited action in the 2017 regular season, Tagovailoa was called upon in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. He replaced Jalen Hurts in the second half against Georgia and delivered the program to an epic 26-23 overtime win in Atlanta.
Following his performance, Tagovailoa became the starting quarterback this season.
Coming from Deerfield Beach, Fla., Jeudy was used to being the main attraction. He vented some on social media after not seeing the ball as a freshman, and even brought up a thought of him switching to defensive back. The hiring of Josh Gattis to Alabama’s coaching staff and him keeping Jeudy grounded turned him into the team’s leading receiver (1,103 yards), a Biletnikoff Award winner and one of three consensus All-Americans for this season.
Defensively, there are a lot of players with the same story.
Whether it was Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson or any others, frustration from lack of playing time happened at some point in their careers. Instead of making a hasty decision, these individuals decided to remain in Tuscaloosa and prove their worth with hard work.
All were rewarded with championships and action in the National Football League.
Anoma will take some time to think, but expect him to be back soon.
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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.
