The middle linebacker role will be one of the most intriguing position battles for Alabama football.
After graduating Dylan Moses to the NFL Draft, the Crimson Tide returns Christian Harris, Jaylen Moody, and Shane Lee.
RELATED: Veteran players for Alabama football donning new numbers in spring practice
Harris, a junior from Baton Rouge, La., is coming off a great season in 2020. As a sophomore, he was dominant at weakside “Will” linebacker.
The 6-foot-2, 232-pounder finished second on the roster for tackles (79) and had seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, and one interception in 13 games. He was a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award, which goes to college football’s top linebacker, and was one of the Tide’s most consistent playmakers on defense.
Moody, a senior from Conway, S.C., played in 12 games.
He posted 18 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder had his best outing versus Arkansas. Moody replaced an injured Christian Harris and shared the team lead for tackles (seven). He was also responsible for forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble. Moody has been a quality player in the rotation, but he’s looking to do more.
Lee, a junior from Burtonsville, Md., battled a sports hernia last year. He played in five games; however, Saban said Lee is good to go now. The 6-foot, 240-pounder had a very strong freshman season.
He started the 2019 campain, replacing an injured Dylan Moses.
RELATED: Alabama Football First Spring Practice Photo Gallery
Lee totaled 86 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception. He was named to the Freshman All-SEC team and made Freshman All-America teams for ESPN and Football Writers Association of America. Lee is excited to show fans he is 100 percent and can provide quality at linebacker.
On Friday, Nick Saban told reporters that Alabama will have diversity at the position.
“He’ll play some Mike and some Will. He’ll play some Mike and some Money in nickel,” Saban said of Christian Harris. ” (Jaylen) Moody can play both. Shane Lee played a whole year here at Mike. He’s healthy now.
Depth is a good thing for the Tide. It lost Ale Kaho to the NCAA transfer portal, so having Harris, Moody, and Lee with knowledge at the position is important.
Whoever gives Alabama the moost consistency will win the job.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
