Alabama fans were excited when the Crimson Tide got Kendrick Blackshire in the 2021 class from Texas.
The 6-foot-2, 233-pounder is a physically imposing linebacker.
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He carved out a role on special teams last year and is growing in Alabama’s defensive system. Blackshire is the backup middle linebacker behind Henry To’oto’o, but he has mostly been an impact player on kickoff and punt coverage. He has six total tackles, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hurry this season. Fans want to see more of the former four-star, but it may not be until next week. In Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, Nick Saban updated reporters on Blackshire. He sustained a wrist injury.
‘He’s been out for four weeks,” Saban said about Blackshire. “He may be back next week, maybe not. He’s got a wrist injury that they had to put pins in. … Until he heals, he’s probably on the shelf.”
Saban said Blackshire was growing in confidence before the injury.
He has a grasp of the playbook and can become a highlight linebacker in the future. Crimson Tide fans are hopeful the combination of him and Deontae Lawson can be the shutdown players defensively the program needs.
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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.
