On Kane Wommack’s scheme and the value of Justin Jefferson
As fall camp kicked off earlier this week for Alabama Football, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack spoke very highly of senior linebacker Justin Jefferson. Given that Wommack coaches the inside linebackers directly, this praise should not be taken lightly.
Jefferson came to Alabama last fall by way of Pearl River Community College in Mississippi, where he was considered the second-best JUCO player in the 2023 class and the top defensive prospect. He didn’t see the field much at linebacker for the Tide, but made his presence felt on special teams. For the season, Jefferson recorded four tackles and a forced fumble, with most of his production coming from flying down the field on Bama’s kickoff unit.
This season, we may see him more in his natural spot on defense. Coach Wommack praised his rapid development as he heads into year two with the program and called him the third “starter-type” at inside ‘backer behind standouts Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell.
Jefferson’s growth could prove to be incredibly valuable for the Alabama defense. That third inside linebacker can be one of the most important positions in a nickel alignment such as Wommack’s base 4-2-5. Last season, Trezmen Marshall recorded 56 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery in the same role. He was always prepared when Lawson or Campbell got banged up or just needed a breather, and there was little dropoff when Marshall was on the field.
Similarly, Wommack’s defense at South Alabama deployed a trio of productive inside ‘backers in James Miller (68 tackles), Trey Kiser (68 tackles), and Khalil Jacobs (56 tackles). Wommack has spoken highly of Jacobs in the past and considered the idea of bringing him to Tuscaloosa this spring, which speaks to how much value he places in having an effective third linebacker. Though Jacobs ended up at Missouri, it appears the Tide won’t miss a beat with Justin Jefferson.
The former JUCO product should provide Alabama with a solid rotation at one of the most important positions on the defense. Jefferson is an incredible athlete who was once clocked at 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash and can make plays from sideline to sideline.
Though he came to Alabama slightly undersized, Jefferson appears to have packed on some weight while retaining a lot of that athleticism. He plays with a ton of burst, is very fast to the ball, and often arrives with violent intentions. While he might have to prove himself in pass coverage, I have no doubt he will be extremely effective against the run and on the blitz.
With Lawson and Campbell, Alabama could already claim to have one of the best linebacker rooms in the nation. With the talent and depth that Jefferson adds, this group will be even better this fall.