Alabama young inside linebackers growing in confidence in spring practice

He singled out the success that transfer Caleb Woodson is having, but Kalen DeBoer also highlighted Alabama’s young inside linebackers after the first scrimmage of spring practice.

The Crimson Tide has to replace three leaders – Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green – and while Woodson has been good out of the portal, who emerges to help him in Kane Wommack’s 4-2-5 defensive system? Alabama recruited several talented inside ‘backers in the last two freshmen classes. It is now time for those athletes to rise up and be contributors.

DeBoer said the inside linebacker room is highly competitive.

“You have guys like QB [Reese] coming back, Abduall, Luke, all those guys know the system,” DeBoer said.

“Duke [Johnson] as well knows the system, so they have a little bit of a head start and it is fun seeing the growth a guy has from the end of a season, getting the install in the winter, putting some mass on, and becoming more confident. Those guys are doing that.”

Reese, Sanders, Metz, Johnson, and Cayden Jones are all competing to see who lines up next to Woodson at inside linebacker this fall. All five bring different skills to the room, but who emerges as the best option? We will see which one takes the next step as practice continues.