Alabama’s sack numbers at outside linebacker dropped last year after a big season in 2021.
Will Anderson and Dallas Turner combined for 26 of the Crimson Tide’s 57 sacks in 2021, but the duo recorded just 14 sacks together in 2022. Nick Saban wants his outside ‘backers to affect quarterbacks more in the fall, so young players are getting opportunities in spring practice for more reps. Turner is out for spring practice because he is recovering from surgery.
RELATED: WATCH: Nick Saban’s press conference after Alabama’s first spring scrimmage
He and Chris Braswell did not scrimmage Friday, but Saban was pleased with the effort from other players at the position.
Saban broke down the outside linebackers to reporters.
“I think they are learning and getting more confident,” Saban said. “Whether it’s Jeremiah, Keanu, or Que, they are all getting reps and doing a good job. A couple of freshmen are getting reps too.”
Saban said the team misses the presence of Turner and Braswell, but it gives young guys a chance.
“Those guys are great players. They are leaders on the team,” he said about Turner and Braswell. “I think that is one of the biggest things right now is the guys that are the best leaders are not able to participate. The good news is the guys that played with them and behind them are getting a world of experience that is going to be beneficial to them in their development.”
According to sources, Jeremiah Alexander (redshirt freshman) and Qua Russaw (freshman) both had two sacks in Friday’s scrimmage. Things will be much better once Braswell returns and Turner is back for summer workouts and fall camp.
Alabama has a lot of depth at outside linebacker and several guys that can make plays.
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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.
