Pair of former 5-stars ready to step up at ‘Wolf’ LB for Alabama in CFP push

Will McLelland - USA TODAY Sports

Kane Wommack told reporters in fall camp that Alabama had a pack of wolves.

The Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator is about to see his next guys step up in the absence of Que Robinson.

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Alabama lost its senior leader at the ‘Wolf’ linebacker position to an upper body injury versus LSU. Robinson, a Birmingham (Ala.) native, is out for the remainder of the season. He will continue to be a voice of leadership and experience in the locker room, yet a pair of former five stars are ready to step up. Qua Russaw and Yhonzae Pierre are next up at the position, especially with Keanu Koht — a former four-star — serving a suspension for now. Russaw suffered a lower body injury against Wisconsin, but he returned since then and is fully healthy. The redshirt freshman has 20 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry. Pierre, a Eufala (Ala.) native, has four total tackles, two pass breakups, and a quarterback hurry.

Russaw told the media in Tuesday’s availability for players that the time is now for him and Pierre.

“I’m just trying to be the bigger guy in our room,” Russaw said in taking on a leadership role in Robinson’s absence. “Last year, we had Bras (Chris Braswell) and Dallas (Turner), and they got along well. Now, it is me and Yhonzae so we have to get along. We obviously are, but it is knowing when to say something.”

It hurts Alabama to lose Robinson, but Russaw understands the assignment moving forward.

“He has been very helpful, and he’s the guy in that room,” Russaw said about Robinson.

Alabama defender expected to miss the rest of the season

“He is the older guy that is going to tell us what is the Alabama standard and how things work here. Losing him hurts, but coach always says ‘next man up.’ So, me and Yhonzae have to step up now.”

The two former five stars and Alabama natives are ready to turn up for their injured teammate. 

Alabama takes on Mercer this weekend at 1 p.m. CT on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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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.