Alabama football LB wants to be seen as elite linebacker: 'I want them to see violence'

Alabama football’s linebacker, Justin Jefferson wants to be known as one of the best linebackers in college football in 2025.

Jefferson returns to Alabama for a third season and for his fifth year of college football after he was granted extra eligibility after previously playing at the junior college level.

While Jefferson only started in three games in 2024, he was fourth in tackles for Alabama with 61, including 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

The explosive linebacker is looking to be more impactful as a full-time starter in the upcoming season, and he wants whoever watches him play to see one of the best in the game.

“I want them to see violence,” Jefferson said on Alabama’s media day. “I want them to see speed. I want them to see maturity. I want them to see it all. I want them to see the best linebacker in the country.”

Jefferson has put this violence on display early in fall camp. Alabama’s veteran linebacker, Deontae Lawson shared Jefferson had the hardest hit of fall camp so far while talking to reporters on Wednesday.

“It was on the goal line, and they ran a G-Lead play,” Lawson said. “Justin just shot the A gap, and then, you heard it.”

Alabama’s defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has brought an inside linebacker friendly defense to Tuscaloosa, and the way it allows its linebackers to make plays from different spots excites Jefferson.

“It makes it extremely fun,” Jefferson previously told Roger Hoover of the Crimson Tide Sports Network. “You get to play in space. I love playing the space. I love running. And for me, being a fast guy, being able to run, being able to play free in that defense is wonderful.”

Alabama’s linebacker unit has a chance to turn a lot of heads in the upcoming season, and Jefferson will be a major part of them being able to do so.