What kept Alabama DL Fatutoa Henry on the sideline in the past

Fatutoa Henry is playing a lot more snaps this season in his second year with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Henry transferred to Alabama after a year at Cerritos Community College. He originally signed with Oklahoma, but he never got on the field for the Sooners before taking his talents to Cerritos. Alabama added Henry to its roster in 2025.

The defensive lineman has emerged in recent weeks as a disruptive figure along the Tide’s defensive front. He had a breakout game against Texas A&M a few weeks ago when he had two sacks and two tackles for loss. He has racked up 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks this season as his role has continued to expand.

Kane Wommack provided some insight into what has led to more production out of Henry while discussing how it took some time to get the Alabama defender to play at the level he is playing at.

“I think (Henry) really done a nice job,” Wommack said. “Here’s a guy that has just stayed at his process, and you see that from guys that it takes a little while longer; some guys come out and, as a true freshman, can come in and play immediately. Other guys, it requires a lot more. The goal is to better your game to where you’re playing your best ball when it matters most. And for him, I think he is playing his best football right now. He has become more consistent, play in and play out. He has always flashed, but I think that his fundamentals have improved. And I think he’s got more tools kind of in his tool belt that he’s able to use from a pass-rush standpoint. But the biggest thing is he’s just playing more consistent football. And so some of those things that we have seen in him in flashes, we’re able to see more because he can be out there on the field more because he’s more consistent.”

Henry is expected to be a valuable member of the Tide’s defense for teh remainder of the season.