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 seventh marquee player on Alabama’s defense to profile, and it’s defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe.
Justin Eboigbe
-Classification: Senior
–Position: Defensive Lineman (defensive end)
-Hometown: Forest Park, Ga.
-Height: 6-5
-Weight: 292 pounds
–Strengths: Size, quickness, game experience, run stopper
–Weaknesses: Lack of starting experience, needs to become a reliable pass rusher
Summary for spring practice
Justin Eboigbe has had some production, but he has yet to have a breakout season.
He came in Alabama’s 2019 recruiting class with Byron Young and DJ Dale. Eboigbe arrived as a four-star defensive end from Forest Park (Ga.) High School. He flashed some skills as a freshman, totaling 10 tackles, three stops for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a quarterback pressure in 10 games. The 6-foot-5, 292-pounder recorded his first interception for the Crimson Tide in 2020 and collected 19 tackles with three quarterback hurries. He assisted the defense to an undefeated national championship campaign.
He earned 19 tackles, 0.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, and two fumble recoveries in 2021. Eboigbe has played in 38 games across three seasons, but he has not stood out on tape. He has a chance in spring practice to start creating value for his NFL Draft stock. Eboigbe and Young both project as Alabama’s starting defensive ends in the upcoming fall.
He has some physical tools to become disruptive, but Eboigbe must put it into action. Alabama has a deep rotation on its defensive line, and a few young names want to emerge. Eboigbe is a veteran player, but it’s time for him to become a factor.
Related profiles
–Ty Simpson, Quarterback (freshman)
-Aaron Anderson, Wide Receiver (freshman)
–Emil Ekiyor, Offensive Lineman
–Will Anderson, Outside Linebacker
–Dallas Turner, Outside Linebacker
–Byron Young, Defensive Lineman
–Henry To’oto’o, Inside Linebacker
–Jordan Battle, Defensive Back
–Jihaad Campbell, Outside Linebacker (freshman)
–Jeremiah Alexander, Outside Linebacker (freshman)
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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.
