Alabama LB tells why he loves to play in Kane Wommack’s Swarm defense

Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Justin Jefferson (15) dives for South Florida Bulls running back Ta'Ron Keith (9) as he runs the ball down the field during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William McLelland-Imagn Images

Alabama football’s linebacker, Justin Jefferson is excited to be back in Tuscaloosa suiting up for the Crimson Tide for yet another season.

Jefferson was granted extra eligibility after starting his collegiate career as a JUCO football player at Pearl River Community College. He returns to the Crimson Tide for his fifth season of college football after spending two seasons at the junior college level and two seasons at Alabama.

The Tennessee product now has the weight of being an expected starter and major contributor to the Crimson Tide’s defense on his shoulder. This comes with another opportunity to play under Alabama’s defensive coordinator Kane Wommack in his Swarm defense which is something Jefferson is looking forward to as he feels the scheme fits his playing style.

“It makes it extremely fun,” Jefferson told Roger Hoover of the Crimson Tide Sports Network. “You get to play in space. I love playing the space. I love running. And for me, being a fast guy, being able to run, being able to play free in that defense is wonderful.”

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Jefferson finished the 2024 season with 61 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He played in 12 games in 2024 while starting in three of them.

The Alabama linebacker is now looking to make more of an impact in 2025.

“I definitely left a lot of meat on the bone,” said Jefferson. “I had a couple of good plays, but you seen my guy haad (Jihaad Campbell)? I was behind him. He had everything. He had some great plays.”

Jefferson is expected to be full-go in the fall after being limited in the spring.

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Justin Smith is the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith