Alabama football pulled in one of the best outside linebacker groups in the nation in the 2020 recruiting cycle and according to Nick Saban, all four freshmen are ‘showing promise.’
Quandarrius Robinson, Drew Sanders, Chris Braswell and Will Anderson signed with the Tide in the 2020 recruiting cycle. Alabama made the push to add this impressive outside linebacker group after losing starting outside linebackers, Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings, to the NFL Draft at the end of last season. Saban said he feels a couple of these guys will make a contribution to the team this year during Monday’s press conference.
“I am impressed with all the young players that we have,” Saban said. “I think all four of those guys have shown some promise and what they can do. I think a couple of them are probably going to add depth to our team. I think they have some pass-rush ability. They are high effort guys and really good athletes. A couple of those guys are going to be able to contribute to the team. I do not know for sure which one yet. It is still a work in progress in terms of the evaluation, but I am impressed by that group.”
WATCH NICK SABAN TALKS FRESHMEN OLBS:
Anderson’s name has come up a lot since enrolling into the University of Alabama in January. As a defensive prospect at Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia, the 5-Star prospect was used to rush from the interior of the defensive line and off the edge. Like Anderson, Drew Sanders has also had his name brought up in discussions over which Alabama freshmen are impressing the Tide’s coaching staff.
Sanders played multiple positions throughout his high school career at Ryan High School in Denton, Texas. The Texas product has experience as a tight end, wide receiver, inside linebacker and wildcat quarterback. The Crimson Tide look as if they will use him as an outside linebacker during his freshman season, but a position change could be in Sanders’ future if there is a need.
There are also plenty of reasons for Tide fans to be excited about Robinson and Braswell.
Robinson is the only in-state outside linebacker prospect, who signed with the Tide in the 2020 recruiting cycle. As an edge rusher for Jackson Olin High School, Robinson was mainly used to get after the quarterback during his high school career. The Birmingham product stands at 6-4 and weighs 220 pounds heading into his freshman season for the Tide.
As for Braswell, he is a product of St, Frances Academy in Maryland, who plays a national schedule, which has Braswell physically prepared to make an immediate impact. The 6-3 220-pounder will wear No. 41 during his freshmen season.
Nick Saban and Alabama’s coaching staff have never shied away from playing freshmen and it looks as if at least a couple of the Tide’s freshmen linebackers will be vying for playing time this upcoming season.
Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
