After battling injuries, his hard work has paid off.
Nick Saban, Alabama’s head football coach, has referred to him as a leader on defense throughout the season, and Anfernee Jennings responds with consistent production.
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Hailing from Dadeville, Ala., the redshirt senior at outside linebacker is among the top-three players in total tackles (48), tackles for loss (7.5), sacks (four), quarterback hurries (five) and pass breakups with four.
While he fills up the stats sheet, Jennings provides to everyone else – including Terrell Lewis, who is having an incredible year with six sacks, nine tackles for loss and 12 quarterback pressures. The former four-star has the Crimson Tide allowing just 15.3 points per game and it’s made improvements each week.
Per an announcement from the Dick Butkus Award Foundation on Monday, Jennings was selected as one of 12 semifinalists for the honor.
Named after Pro Football Hall of Famer, Dick Butkus, is presented annually to the top linebackers in high school, college and the professional game. Former Alabama standouts Derrick Thomas (1988), Rolando McClain (2009), C.J. Mosley (2013) and Reuben Foster (2016) all earned the honor. Jennings hopes to join the group as the fifth Tide player to win.
He is currently preparing to lead the Tide’s defense against a high-powered LSU team this week.
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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.
