Summer workouts will be here soon for the Crimson Tide as the summer enrollees have moved in on campus.
In this series, the staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine will project the starters for each position group.
RELATED: Trio of Alabama offensive linemen among highest-graded returning SEC interior linemen, per PFF
We now look at the inside linebackers after breaking down the offensive and defensive lines.
Kane Wommack, the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator, will also coach the inside linebackers. Alabama has had tremendous players at this position in the past, but Wommack must develop guys that put fear into the hearts of opponents.
A breakdown of the projected starters, backups, and potential contributors are below.
Deontae Lawson, MLB
Deontae Lawson is back as the leader of the inside linebacker room for Alabama.
The Mobile (Ala.) native finished with 67 total tackles — good for second on the team — last year, helping the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. He also had 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, four quarterback hurries, and four pass breakups. Lawson remains as the middle “Mike” linebacker in Wommack’s 4-2-5 system.
He has a chance to win multiple individual awards and get Alabama to a national title.
In being the first “Agent 0” for the Tide, much will be expected of Lawson to dominate.
Jihaad Campbell, Sting
Jihaad Campbell will play the “sting” position in the 4-2-5 defense.
The New Jersey native has the lateral quickness, physicality, explosiveness, and coverage skills to be dynamic. He finished with 66 total tackles in 2023 and added three tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, and an interception.
Campbell and Lawson together for another season is a nightmare scenario for offenses.
Backups
-Jeremiah Alexander
-Justin Jefferson
Summary
Jeremiah Alexander and Justin Jefferson are ideal backups as inside linebackers.
Both could start anywhere in the nation, but it shows how deep the Crimson Tide are with them staying.
Alexander, a former five-star in the 2022 class, finished with three tackles in 14 games last year. He arrived as an aggressive outside linebacker, but Alexander has been moved inside. He had a very good spring practice. The 6-foot-2, 249-pounder earned Kalen DeBoer’s attention in scrimmages. Coach DeBoer said “stuff happens” when Alexander is flying around on the field.
Jefferson, a former junior college transfer, had four tackles and a forced fumble for Alabama in 2023. The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder was a tackling machine at Pearl River Community College. Jefferson had a good spring in 2023 and this semester too.
He possesses the coverage skills and speed rush abilities to affect the quarterback.
Contributors
-Sterling Dixon
-Justin Okoronkwo
Summary
Sterling Dixon and Justin Okoronkwo are talented freshmen.
Both guys — including Okoronkwo — had a productive spring.
Dixon and Okoronkwo can provide the Crimson Tide with valuable reps if needed.
*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 senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
