Alabama LB details mentality when going after scrambling quarterbacks: “Murder, death, kill”

Oct 4, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson (10) strips the ball from Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

When glancing at Alabama’s schedule, there are a handful of teams that have mobile quarterbacks, and this challenges a defense to be in top shape and be ready for the quarterback run at all times.

Quarterbacks like Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia or Florida State’s Thomas Castellanos require extra attention because of their running ability. Under defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, Alabama has struggled against running quarterbacks, making fans fearful of the next time the team plays against a scrambler.

However, due to the way the Alabama defense responded against Vanderbilt’s quarterback run game after the opening quarter, that narrative is slowly starting to change, and linebacker Justin Jefferson has a good bit to do with that.

Last Saturday, Jefferson accounted for 14 total tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. The senior linebacker was able to put a hinge in Vanderbilt’s quarterback run game when he ripped the football out of Pavia’s hands and created a turnover for Alabama.

This offseason, Jefferson reached 22 miles per hour, according to David Ballou, Alabama’s director of sports performance.

With Jefferson being a highly physical player who runs 22 miles per hour and packs a punch when coming downhill, the question arose during Tuesday’s media availability of what goes through his mind when he sees a quarterback take off.

“Murder, death, kill,” Jefferson said. “We gotta go get him down. We gotta go get him down. We got to try to knock the ball off of him, for sure.”

Next up on Alabama’s schedule is a road game against No. 14 Missouri, a team led by quarterback Beau Pribula. The Tigers have physical running backs that will look to break tackles and shoulder the majority of the touches in this game, and Pribula will likely continue to use that to his advantage like he has against South Carolina and other teams this season.

So far, Pribula has created some big plays with his legs this, rushing for 121 yards and three touchdowns this year. He’s picked up first downs with his legs and made defenses pay for focusing only on the running back.

On that note, Jefferson believes in taking the internal approach and not be overly worried about what Missouri or any other team may or may not do.

“We’re going to respect their game, but it’s all about what we do,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson was named Week 6’s Bednarik Player of The Week after his performance against Vanderbilt, and he’ll look to keep up the great work against No. 14 Missouri.