Alabama fans saw Qua Russaw get off to a fast start as a redshirt freshman Wolf linebacker for the Crimson Tide.
Russaw, a former five-star, arrived as talented in-state product from Carver High School in Montgomery (Ala.) in 2023.
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Alabama brought in another highly touted in-state pass rusher in the 2023 class. Yhonzae Pierre, the cousin of former Tide All-American Courtney Upshaw, was a five-star playmaker at Eufaula (Ala.) High School. The 6-foot-3, 239-pounder redshirted his freshman campaign, but has gotten reps in Alabama’s first three games. He saw extensive time versus Wisconsin after an injury to Russaw, posting two tackles and a pass breakup.
Pierre shows the ability to contain the edge, but also make marquee plays.
It will be interesting to see if he gets playing time in Saturday’s Southeastern Conference showdown against Georgia.
Kane Wommack, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, likes the growth he has seen from Pierre.
“Yhonzae continues to have an urgency when he comes to practice,” Wommack said Monday.
“He wants to better himself and this football team. It is really fun and rewarding as a coach to see a young man mature right in front of you. He is taking steps from a fundamental standpoint, understanding what we do in our scheme to maximize his opportunities when he’s on the field, and he’s becoming a more consistent football player.”
Pierre has three total tackles on the season, but Saturday could be big for him.
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Georgia is without two offensive linemen, including its 2023 first-team All-SEC right guard in Tate Ratledge. Ratledge had to undergo a tightrope surgery on his left ankle following the Bulldogs’ 13-12 close victory over Kentucky.
Kalen DeBoer saw some good things from Pierre during the bye week.
“He got a taste of it,” DeBoer said about Pierre versus Wisconsin. “Once that happens, there is an excitement. He is taking these practices seriously, and that is what you want to see. He can prove to himself, prove to his teammates, prove to all of us he is heading in the right direction. He wants to be prepared to get on the football field each and every week.”
Alabama fans want to see Pierre become a star. Hopefully, he can make an impact versus Georgia.
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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.
