After losing Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings to the NFL Draft, Alabama signed four edge-rushing outside linebackers in its 2020 class.
Each one will get an opportunity to play, especially with Nick Saban wanting to create pressure from all angles, but one is showing signs of elite verticality this offseason.
Chris Braswell, a native of Baltimore, Md., hails from the powerhouse program that produced Eyabi Anoma: St. Frances Academy.
Off-field issued prevented Anoma from reaching his potential; however, success awaits Braswell at Alabama.
He was highly regarded as a major pass-rushing threat and garnered a five-star rating from Touchdown Alabama Magazine. Braswell was also given a diamond grade of one from our Justin Smith (lead scouting/recruiting analyst), which means he will be an “immediate contributor and game changer” on defense.
Smith and yours truly saw Braswell in practices during the week of the Under Armour All-America Game last year in Orlando, Fla.
He needs to add more weight to his frame, but the quickness, acceleration and pass rush moves are there. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder executed a 66” box jump on Thursday, as the video was shared on social media.
66? #rolltide #bama pic.twitter.com/jyMuhUb2lx
— Chris Braswell (@Chrisbras410) May 14, 2020
Despite having the likes of William Anderson, Drew Sanders and Quandarrius Robinson, the bounce in Braswell’s step could lead to more sacks and tackles for loss.
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He chose Alabama over Clemson, Georgia and LSU.
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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.
