Before celebrating Christmas in Miami (Fla.) and preparing for Oklahoma, Alabama football went through five days of practice in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Someone in particular was missing during one of the sessions, as the Crimson Tide’s depth at outside linebacker looked a little thin.
Eyabi Anoma, a freshman, was not spotted in two viewing periods and the media wanted answers from Nick Saban.
After not releasing much information, other than stating how he permitted the five-star to have a “personal day,” there were some that assumed the worse.
Thoughts of him possibly transferring hit Twitter, and though Anoma would silence the noise, there was still the question of why he was not at practice. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder is an explosive edge rusher that has the potentially to be one of Saban’s most feared players.
REALTED: Eyabi Anoma feels he has what it takes to be the next great one
He accounts for nine total tackles – including two for loss and one quarterback pressure through 11 regular season games, but some felt as though him not getting enough playing time was the reason for his absence and having a day to “sort things out.”
In his return to the team, Anoma was locked in through drills and explained to yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine on Thursday about why he needed a moment to himself.
“My grandmother was having heart surgery,” Anoma said. “I wanted to see her. I want to be there with her, but I could not get in contact with anyone in the family. Everyone was thinking about me transferring, but that was never the case.”
While the matriarch of his family continues to improve, Anoma also mentioned why he never gave attention to those who fed him thoughts on leaving the Tide.
“I made a promise and I am sticking to it,” he said.
“There is a process here at Alabama and I am with that process. When you see what we have here and the great success we got, you are not going to get that anywhere else. After seeing what has happened to others that stuck to it, I am just trying to help the team.”
Being a great listener is one thing Anoma has added to his repertoire.
Whether it is at practice or in the community, he’s taken it upon himself be more involved with Christian Miller and Jamey Mosley. Despite his appreciation for the entire outside linebacker room, Anoma said it is the “attention to details” from Mosley and Miller that he really loves.
“Both guys study the playbook and it fascinates me on how they know where everyone is supposed to go,” he said of Mosley and Miller. “I’m just trying to focus on attacking the quarterback, and they are telling defensive backs and defensive linemen where to be.”
Anoma wants to be like his teammates and he knows growth will get him there; however, helping his grandmother (Grace) is what he desires more than anything.
“I have to secure the bag for her,” he said.
“When I’m on the field, all I think about is kill everyone that tries to prevent me from sacking the quarterback and then get the quarterback. The guys protecting the quarterback are those preventing me from helping my grandmother and that QB represents the money.”
His personal goals moving forward include adding more weight and doing all things possible to be an asset to the team, but he also wants to shut down all the shootout talk versus Oklahoma.
As the postseason ushers him into his sophomore season, Tide fans anticipate a productive showing from Anoma at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.
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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.
