Kane Wommack has been impressed with the growth of Alabama's linebackers in fall camp. While Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson stepped onto campus as an obvious starter at the Mike spot, the search has been ongoing for the starter next to him at the Sting position.
That search is now over.
While junior QB Reese was seen as the favorite for the role entering fall camp, sophomore Luke Metz has been trending in recent weeks to overtake Reese and earn the role. Wommack made that official on Wednesday.
“Luke Metz is really our other starter right now, but those other guys have done a really good job,” Wommack said. “I’m pleased with that room. Chuck Morrell has done a fantastic job with the development in that room. You’re gonna see a number of guys in there, but certainly Luke and Caleb will be the first two out.”
There will be a role for Reese. Sophomore Abduall Sanders has also had a strong fall camp and has positioned himself for rotational snaps at linebacker. Wommack has always rotated guys at the off-ball linebacker spots, and that's not likely going to change in 2026.
But Metz earned the starting role. This isn't a situation where one player was playing poorly, either. Both Reese and Sanders were outstanding in camp, too. It's just that Metz has been better, and now the sophomore will be in a position to make a major impact.
Kane Wommack explains what made Luke Metz stand out in the Alabama LB competition
“He just sees the run fits so much better right now," Wommack said of Metz. "He’s got a little bit of a field general presence. I mean, when you watch him on game day, watch the way he communicates out there and the way he points things out and plays with anticipation. I mean, it’s the way you want a linebacker to play the game, right?"
"The best production always comes from a defense that can anticipate what is coming next, right? And he is greatly improved in that regard, and I think we’re gonna see good production because of that.”
Wommack has raved about Metz throughout fall camp. Kalen DeBoer had praise for the sophomore linebacker, too. If you were paying attention, Metz ultimately coming out on top for the starting spot isn't much of a surprise. He separated in the competition and earned the role over some other talented players.
There's a confidence that Alabama is going to get better play at LB this season than last, despite losing the top three off-ball 'backers with Deontae Lawson, Nikhai Hill-Green, and Justin Jefferson all exhausting their eligibility.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is an improved defensive line that Wommack has noted is doing a better job in practice of maintaining gap integrity. That's pivotal for the linebackers because they trust that the DL is going to do their job properly, which frees them up to fly around and make plays.
With Woodson and Metz as the starters, Alabama has a pair of linebackers who are athletic and can move sideline-to-sideline to make plays. They've also got quality depth with Reese and Sanders as the next two up.
If Metz can live up to the hype he's gotten in the preseason, it'll go a long way in helping this Alabama defense reach its elite potential.
Add us as a preferred source on Google