Spring football returned to the University of Alabama on Friday, March 11.
Fans of the Crimson Tide are excited for this edition of athletes taking the field, as Nick Saban and the program look to reclaim the crown of national champions. With 15 practice sessions – including the A-Day Game – the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will provide in-depth previews on marquee players.
We move to the second marquee player on Alabama’s defense to profile, and it’s linebacker Henry To’oto’o.
Henry To’oto’o
-Classification: Senior
–Position: Inside Linebacker
-Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.
-Height: 6-2
-Weight: 228 pounds
–Strengths: Speed, quickness, communication, leadership, production (team-high 113 tackles), instinctive, experience
–Weaknesses: Does not consistently fit gaps on run plays, tends to miss tackles, needs to get stronger in shedding offensive linemen, can be lost at times on the field
Summary for spring practice
Henry To’oto’o arrived at the University of Alabama in the summer of 2021 after two years with the Volunteers.
Pete Golding raved about his communication and leadership skills, but it took To’oto’o some time to adjust to the Crimson Tide’s defensive system. He was focused on making sure his teammates did not miss plays, but there were moments where To’oto’o was out of position to record a tackle. The 6-foot-2, 228-pounder had trouble shedding offensive linemen and taking on blocks during run plays, but he improved as the season progressed. To’oto’o started playing his best in Alabama’s last five games of the year.
He finished 2021 as Alabama’s leader in tackles (113).
To’oto’o posted 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble. He earned second-team All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches.
To’oto’o assisted the Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship, a Cotton Bowl victory, and an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
He could have pursued the NFL Draft, but he decided to return to Alabama for his senior season. To’oto’o enters spring practice with a lot of confidence.
He has a year of experience under Pete Golding in a complex Nick Saban defense.
To’oto’o will be better at making calls, giving signals, and having the defense lined up. He could also move to weakside linebacker and play off the ball. If he does move, To’oto’o becomes a heat-seeking missile that can be used to pressure quarterbacks, stop running backs on perimeter runs, and create turnovers.
NFL scouts may see him more as a weakside linebacker because of his size and lateral quickness. A dominant performance next season should position To’oto’o for the first round of the 2023 draft.
His goal in spring football is to improve upon where he excelled late in the 2021 season.
Related profiles
–Will Anderson, Outside Linebacker
–Aaron Anderson, Wide Receiver (freshman)
–Jeremiah Alexander, Outside Linebacker (freshman)
*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.
