Alabama football will be without one of its veteran defensive linemen for a while.
Justin Eboigbe, a senior from Forest Park, Ga., did not play last week versus Arkansas.
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On Monday, Coach Nick Saban told reporters that Eboigbe has a neck injury. The Crimson Tide has specialists looking at the former four-star defensive end to ensure the precautions are managed correctly. Alabama will not play Eboigbe until the best plan of action is available. His absence allows two players to get more time on the field. Jamil Burroughs and Jah-Marien Latham are the next guys up. Both came into Alabama’s 2020 recruiting class as four-star linemen. Burroughs was behind Tim Smith at defensive end on the week one depth chart for Utah State. The 6-foot-3, 309-pounder has gotten work in three games, but Burroughs was the most improved lineman in spring practice. Latham has played in four matchups this season.
The 6-foot-3, 278-pounder was a monster at Pickens County High School in his recruitment process.
Burroughs and Latham can stop the run and pressure quarterbacks. Both have been in the system for three years, so they know how Freddie Roach (defensive line coach), Pete Golding (defensive coordinator), and Saban want them to operate.
Hopefully, Eboigbe can get healthy. Burroughs and Latham have a chance, and both must take advantage of it.
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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.
