Justin Jefferson played like a man possessed in last week's win over Vanderbilt. He registered 14 tackles, a forced fumble, and got a late sack on Diego Pavia. His improved play is emblematic of the improvement made by the entire defense since what is now seeming like an uncharacteristically poor performance against Florida State in the opener.
Jefferson entered last week's game against Vanderbilt with 15 total tackles. He nearly doubled that number against the Commodores. Alabama's linebacker play had not been good enough early in the season, and against a running QB - and a team that uses as much misdirection as Vanderbilt does - Alabama was going to need Jefferson. He showed up in a major way.
They're going to need him in a similar fashion against Missouri's elite rushing offense, led by a dual-threat QB in Beau Pribula and the nation's leading rusher in Ahmad Hardy. Jefferson's mentality is a big reason for his improvement, and he's bringing the rest of the defense along with him.
To put words to the mentality, Jefferson invoked a movie he may have never actually seen - and may have given himself a new nickname.
1993's Demolition Man, starring Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, and Sandra Bullock.
Alabama LB Justin Jefferson on the defense’s mentality when going after scrambling quarterbacks:
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) October 9, 2025
“Murder, death, kill”https://t.co/1uOcu5XaKP pic.twitter.com/Kx2Ukz5Phq
Justin Jefferson has been key in Alabama's defensive resurgence
Alabama's linebacker play wasn't good early in the season. It was a major reason for the struggles against Florida State. Jefferson struggled, and his counterpart Deontae Lawson seemed sluggish as he bounced back from injury.
With Lawson getting stronger every week now and Jefferson's resurgence, the Tide's defense is beginning to round into the form that was expected in the preseason. The first quarter against Vanderbilt was a struggle, but Alabama dominated on that side of the ball from the second quarter on. After Vanderbilt picked up 113 rushing yards on just five attempts, the 'Dores managed just 23 yards on 13 attempts the rest of the game.
Alabama's defense was expected to be one of the best in the country in 2025. After finishing 9th in yards per play defense a year ago, more was expected from Kane Wommack's unit this year. It's been a slower-than-optimal start, but Alabama is getting better every week, which is all that can really be asked.
Jefferson played like an All-American against Vanderbilt. If he can play like that moving forward, then the Tide's defense can reach the preseason hype. Teaming that level of defense with an offense that conintues to get harder to stop will give Kalen DeBoer a chance to take this team all the way.