Alabama Football: Tide will win at ILB with or without Justin Flowe

Going back to the 2018 signing class Alabama football fans have been stressed about the ILB roster. Relax, it will be fine, with or without 5-Star recruit Justin Flowe.

There is no doubt the Alabama football staff will work mightily to sign 5-Star, ILB prospect, Justin Flowe. The California prospect is arguably the best football player in the 2020 class. Flowe, at this stage of his football career, is more physically gifted than were Rolando McClain and C.J. Mosley as recruits. All the superlatives he receives from recruiting experts are deserved.

Having admitted how tremendous Flowe is, Alabama football fans would do well to remember what Nick Saban told another exceptional athlete, “we’ll win with or without you.” That future college and NFL superstar was Julio Jones. We are not suggesting Saban use the same line with Flowe, but Nick would be correct if he does.

Alabama football fans are almost desperate for an elite ILB recruit. The desperation is not warranted. The probable 2020 Crimson Tide inside linebacker roster is not in anyway lacking. If recruiting insiders are correct and if the Alabama football staff is ready to accept his commitment, Jordan Banks would take the 2020, ILB roster number to eight.

Even without Ale Kaho ever fully embracing the rigors of big-time CFB (and who is to say he won’t) the Tide has studs aplenty. True freshman, Shane Lee and sophomore Jaylen Moody impressed in the A-Day game. Moody and true freshman (summer enrollee) Christian Harris are wowing teammates this summer in the weight room.

Verbal commit, 4-Star (with 5-Star talent) Demouy Kennedy has all the tools required. He just needs to add another 15-20 pounds above what is believed to be a weight of 215 pounds. The 205 pounds listed officially by the Crimson Tide is apparently not accurate. Kennedy’s potential is as great as any Crimson Tide 2020 verbal commit.

The other Tide commit at inside linebacker is 4-Star, Jackson Bratton. Bratton has not been a fan favorite on message boards, which makes no sense for a 4-Star rated player. Those who have seen him play in-person have a far different opinion. Bratton is a hard-nosed, run-stopping specialist.

The main fan whine about Jaylen Moody, Shane Lee and Jackson Bratton is they cannot cover in space. We do not embrace that complaint or deny it. Remember, the Alabama football staff has a package in third-and-long situations that includes three linebackers, but only one is an inside linebacker. In case you have somehow missed it, the Crimson Tide is and will be loaded with outside linebackers.

The other probable piece of the 2020 ILB roster puzzle is 4-Star, Jordan Banks. Banks is rated as an OLB, but insiders say the Crimson Tide is recruiting him as an ILB. He could well be a Rashaan Evans type player, having the size and ferocity to play inside but also the speed and quickness to slide outside.

Come on down to T-Town, Justin Flowe. You can be the next great, Crimson Tide inside linebacker. But honestly, the Crimson Tide will win with or without you.