Could this photo be predicting Alabama’s starting inside linebackers?

Photo comes via Alabama athletics

Fall practice has not arrived yet, but Alabama football has leaked out some media day photos via ‘Yea Alabama.’

The Crimson Tide has goals of winning a Southeastern Conference Championship, making a deep run in the College Football Playoff, and winning a CFP National Championship in Kalen DeBoer’s third season as head coach. 

Ranking Alabama football’s strongest positions ahead of 2026 season: Defensive Line

An interesting photo surfaced on X from Caleb Woodson’s mother. The transfer linebacker from Virginia Tech posed in a media day picture with second-year linebacker Luke Metz. Catherine Woodson, Caleb’s mother, captioned the photo “These 2!” with a laughing face with tears emoji.

These 2! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/RINFjUSxVo

— Catherine Woodson (@CWoodsonRealtor) May 22, 2026

It appears that Woodson and Metz have chemistry with each other on the field.

Woodson is expected to be the middle linebacker, while Metz had a really good spring as an inside ‘backer.

Luke Metz is in position to possibly start at inside linebacker

The native Georgian is in position to possibly start at the ‘Sting’ or off-ball linebacker position in Kane Wommack’s 4-2-5 defense. The Sting ‘backer is expected to have elite lateral quickness, shoot gaps to make tackles in the run game, cover running backs in the passing game, and pressure the quarterback when needed.

Reuben Foster, a legendary Alabama linebacker, said Metz ‘will be a problem’ this season in an interview with The Millers’ Edge on Tide 100.9 FM.

Alabama legendary LB said this Tide linebacker ‘will be a problem’

Foster spent time with the inside linebacker room during spring practice.

Metz is competing with QB Reese, Xavier Griffin, Duke Johnson II, Abduall Sanders Jr., and Cayden Jones for the second inside linebacker spot.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.