Alabama Football Position Group Countdown: Zero Worries

1. Inside Linebacker

The top position group for Alabama Football in 2024 should be the linebackers. Redshirt junior Deontae Lawson and junior Jihaad Campbell are both back after starting the majority of the games in 2023. 

Lawson started 11 contests, missing a handful of games due to injury, and has 15 career starts under his belt. He was second on the team with 67 tackles and recorded 3.0 sacks despite missing multiple games. If Lawson can stay healthy this year, he is an All-American caliber player. 

Jihaad Campbell broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore in 2023 and was arguably the best linebacker on the field at times, even when lining up next to Deontae Lawson. Campbell notched 66 tackles and showed a propensity for generating turnovers at key moments. Expect him to play the “Sting” linebacker in Kane Wommack’s 4-2-5 defense.

In terms of depth, the linebacker room brings back former JUCO standout Justin Jefferson. While he is slightly undersized, Jefferson is like a missile when seeking the ball, which made him one of Bama’s better special teams players last fall.

The Tide also has redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Alexander, who came to Tuscaloosa as an edge but primarily played inside last year, as well as a deep freshman class in the linebacker room.