With the rough news this week on junior Terrell Lewis tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Alabama football fans will return to a familiar situation of having to witness a young player earn his stripes in the Nick Saban system. Injuries have helped pushed a lot of talented guys to the forefront – including receivers Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley on offense, while linebackers Rashaan Evans, Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses fit the bill on defense.
Fortunately, the Crimson Tide has more depth at outside linebacker this season.
To pair beside Christian Miller and Anfernee Jennings, Saban returns both Jamey Mosely and Christopher Allen.
Alabama also signed three quick-twitched guys in its 2018 recruiting class in five-star Eyabi Anoma, four-star Cameron Latu and four-star Jarez Parks. Despite the experience of Miller and Jennings, Allen is an edge rusher who’s ready to take the next step in his development.
Hailing from Baton Rouge, La., the sophomore had a couple of bright moments during his six games on the field.
Five of his six tackles came against Colorado State at Bryant-Denny Stadium and he forced his first career fumble versus Mississippi. The 6-foot-4, 242-pounder possesses strength to attack at the mesh point; however, he needs to continue improving his footwork.
Like Allen, former Tide standout Tim Williams was a Baton Rouge native that became a household name at rush linebacker. Williams had 19.5 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons (2015-16), positioning him as a third-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2017.
A four-star prospect from Southern Lab School, he collected 194 tackles, 22 sacks and three fumble recoveries in his tenure.
Learning from Miller and Jennings would give Allen a strong advantage in wanting to become a potential All-American and high draft pick type of player.
As fall camp arrives in August, a lot of Tide fans should highlight Allen as someone that will make an impressive jump in production.
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.
