Kane Wommack considers him one of Alabama’s three starters at inside linebacker, but the Crimson Tide will not have him during the first half of Saturday’s game against Wisconsin.
Justin Jefferson, a former junior college transfer, was flagged for targeting in Alabama’s 42-16 victory last week over South Florida on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Tide fans disagreed with the call as they perceived Jefferson led with his shoulder and not the crown of his helmet to hit Bulls’ quarterback, Byrum Brown. However, the officiating staff did not feel the same way. Jefferson was called for targeting and according to the NCAA rules, he will miss first half against the Badgers.
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Kalen DeBoer confirmed Jefferson first half suspension in Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference.
“I think every situation is its own situation,” DeBoer said.
“For probably many of these guys, it is unfortunate because they are really trying to do the best they can. They are not intentionally trying to go in and hurt someone. I know Justin felt that way. Unfortunately there is the criteria and he meet the criteria for it to be targeting. That’s part of the game of, I guess, as an advocate for the game of football, we’ve got to err on the side of safety. There has been enough that happened throughout the course of the game and the history of the game to where we have had some rules in place. I know they are constantly being looked at and does not mean we can’t stop tweaking things a little bit here and there just to try to find that common ground, that scenario that seems best for all the situations because they definitely do not fall under one category.”
Jefferson’s absence opens an opportunity for Jeremiah Alexander or Justin Okoronkwo to get marquee reps.
We will see which one takes the field in the first half versus the Badgers this weekend at 11:00 a.m. CT.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
