Alabama football will be without a starting inside linebacker for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State.
ESPN’s Chris Low reported that the redshirt sophomore Deontae Lawson will not go this weekend. He suffered an ankle in the Crimson Tide’s matchup against Mississippi. Nick Saban said Wednesday in his presser that Lawson is ‘questionable’ for the meeting with the Bulldogs, but Low got word of him being out. Lawson earned the starting job at weakside “Will” linebacker in fall camp and has played well. He’s guided a defense that has allowed 13.5 points per game in four contests, including 10 points to Ole Miss. Lawson, a former four-star recruit, is second on the team for total tackles (26) and has 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two quarterback hurries. Alabama’s next guy up played versus the Rebels and is prepared for the spotlight on the road.
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Jihaad Campbell, a sophomore, came to the Tide as a five-star from New Jersey in 2022. He’s excelled through three games in his second year. Campbell missed the season opener versus Middle Tennessee State because of a knee injury, but he’s been rolling since then. He has 14 total tackles, including a tackle for loss. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder is a versatile player with toughness, physicality, quickness, and coverage skills. He also carries the speed to pressure opposing quarterbacks and create sacks.
Kendrick Blackshire, a junior from Duncanville, Texas, will see action as well. He has come alive in the last couple of weeks, totaling 13 tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hurry, and a forced fumble. Blackshire has been very successful when he’s locked in on his assignment. Coach Saban wants to remain that way this weekend and forward in the schedule.
Alabama could be without Lawson for multiple games, so it is time to see what Campbell and Blackshire have.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
