Alabama Football Spring Position Update: Linebackers

Led by Will Anderson Jr., the Crimson Tide's goal on defense this season is simple: Keep striving to dominate.

Christopher Walsh | Apr 9, 2022

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Alabama Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — They finished first and fifth, which was obviously impressive in any context regarding the voting for the 2021 Heisman Trophy. As we all know, Bryce Young became the first Crimson Tide quarterback to win the award, while linebacker Will Anderson Jr. placed fifth.

It was the second straight year that the Crimson Tide had players finish in those exact spots, but while quarterback quarterback Mac Jones was sandwiched at No. 3 by winner DeVonta Smith and running back Najee Harris in 2020, they all subsequently moved on to the NFL.

As sophomores heading into third seasons, Young and Anderson did not. With them back in the fold, the Crimson Tide arguably has the best returning players on both offense and defense for 2023.

“I think we are capable of be better than we were last year," Anderson said. "I think, starting towards the end we started to gel a little bit more but I think we just want to toll that over to the spring. I think that’s one of the biggest things, just keep gelling, keep working together, everybody playing together, everybody playing faster and physical.”

Anderson is one of three returning starters at linebacker, joining senior Henry To'oTo'o, and Dallas Turner. The fourth spot, where Christian Harris used to line up in the interior, will determined over the course of the spring and summer, and fall camp, but senior Jaylen Moody has the inside lane on the role and is trying to hold off an impressive group of talented challengers.

“Oh he brings a whole bunch of energy, motivation," safety Jordan Battle said. "Moody gets better and better each year. He’s been waiting a long time, and it’s time to respond to the call. Moody’s doing a great job."

Anderson and Turner head up another strong group at outside linebacker, with Chris Braswell next up in the rotation, and Jeremiah Alexander heading the next wave of freshmen, if you will. Not only was he considered one of the top prospects in the nation this past year, but the hype/hope is that he could become the next Anderson.

Although he seems pretty unique after leading the nation in sacks and tackles for a loss as a sophomore, when he was also named a team co-captain.

"His work ethic, that’s what stands out to me," safety Brian Branch said. "He comes in here everyday ready to work. It doesn’t matter what the circumstance is, he’s just determined, and you can tell that he’s motivated."

2022 Alabama Crimson Tide Linebackers

Arkansas running back Trelon Smith (22) is sandwiched by Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) and Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. — Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

OLB Jeremiah Alexander, 2022, SIAA No. 5

OLB Will Anderson Jr., 2020, No. 17*

OLB Chris Braswell, 2020, No. 19*

OLB Dallas Turner, 2021, No. 33

ILB Demouy Kennedy, 2020, No. 39

ILB Henry To'o To'o, 2019 (Tennessee), No. 44

ILB Quandarrius Robinson, 2020, No. 65

OLB Jihaad Campbell, 2022, No. 97

ILB Shawn Murphy, 2022, No. 99:

ILB Deontae Lawson, Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Christian School), 2021

ILB Jaylen Moody, 2018

OLB Keanu Koht, Vero Beach, Calif., 2021

OLB Ian Jackson, Prattville, Ala., 2021

ILB Kendrick Blackshire, Duncanville, Texas, 2021

Jeremiah Alexander

No. 35, OLB, 6-2, 250 pounds, freshman

The top-rated player from Alabama and one of the top edge rushers in his recruiting class. The early enrollee was a five-star prospect by Rivals.com, ESPN.com, PrepStar and on the 247Composite. He was the fourth-ranked player on the Rivals250 and the No. 1-ranked weakside defensive end by Rivals. The ESPN300 had him at No. 11 overall, and he was the top-ranked edge rusher and eighth-ranked prospect nationally on the 247Composite. He earned MaxPreps Alabama Football Player of the Year honors in 2021 after totaling 93 tackles, including 29 for loss, to go with 10 sacks and 27 quarterback hurries as a senior at Thompson High School. Signed with the Crimson Tide over Clemson and Georgia among a multitude of offers.

Will Anderson Jr.

No. 31, 6'4" 243 pounds, junior

Won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top defensive player as decided by the Football Writers Association of American. Was a unanimous first team All-American (AFCA, Associated Press, FWAA, The Sporting News, Walter Camp), and also earned first-team honors from CBS Sports, ESPN.com, Pro Football Focus and USA Today.

Anderson was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by both the AP and the conference coaches, along with All-SEC First Team honors from both groups. He led the nation in tackles for loss with 34.5, and with 17.5 sacks. Despite playing an outside linebacker position was credited with 102 total tackles, second most on the Crimson Tide.

He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts against Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU and Auburn, and was selected as one of the Crimson Tide's permanent team captains for the 2021 season.

2020: Earned the starting job at jack linebacker during the fall, and ended up being selected as the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year. Anderson picked up Freshman All-America honors from the FWAA, 247Sports and The Athletic, and was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team by the league coaches. He finished third in the SEC in sacks with seven, while also ranking third in tackles for loss at 10.5, to go with 52 tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal.

Chris Braswell

No. 41, 6'3" 240 pounds, junior

Played on special teams and as a pass rusher while accumulating 13 total tackles, including one for loss. Also blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown against Mercer.

2020: Did not see playing time for the Crimson Tide.

Dallas Turner

No. 15, 6'4" 240 pounds, sophomore

Quickly developed and earned his first career start at Texas A&M. Went on to earn Freshman All-America honors from 247Sports and the FWAA, in addition to the All-SEC Freshman Team by the conference coaches. Turner played in all 15 games with three starts. He notched 30 tackles, including 10 for loss and 8.5 sacks, and had a forced fumble.

Demouy Kennedy

No. 37, 6'3" 220 pounds, junior

Was a special-teams regular and also helped out at running back when the Crimson Tide's depth was depleted by numerous injuries.

Kennedy made seven tackles during his 15 games of action on coverage units, and also had 16 rushing yards on seven rushes. He was selected as one of the special teams players of the week by the Alabama coaches against Tennessee, New Mexico State, Arkansas and Cincinnati.

2020: Worked on special teams and played in four games.

Henry To'oTo'o

No. 10, 6'2" 228 pounds, senior

Won a starting job after transferring in, and ended up earning All-SEC Second Team honors from the conference coaches. To'oTo'o led Alabama in tackles with 113, including 8.5 for loss while also contributing four sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

2019-20: Played in 23 games and made 22 starts during his two-year stint at Tennessee.

As a sophomore in 2020, started all 10 games at weakside linebacker and led the Vols with 76 tackles and 10 tackles for loss, which was tied for fourth in the SEC.

As a freshman in 2019, he started 12 games and recorded 72 tackles, which ranked second among SEC freshmen and fourth among FBS freshmen. To'oTo'o also had five tackles for loss, a half-sack, two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. He was named a 2019 Freshman All-American by 247Sports and The Athletic.

Quandarrius Robinson

No. 34, 6'5" 224 pounds, redshirt sophomore

Saw his first playing time, and participated in a handful of games. Primarily contributed on special teams.

2020: Did not see playing time for the Crimson Tide.

Jihaad Campbell

No. 30, OLB, 6-3, 215 pounds, freshman

The early enrollee is from New Jersey, but also at IMG Academy in Florida. Was a four-star recruit ranked as the No. 23 player nationally in the Top247 while 247Sports ranked him as the third-best edge player in the country and the No. 4 player in Florida. Campbell was the 247Composite’s 78th player nationally, the No. 9 edge and No. 11 recruit in the state, while the ESPN300 had him at No. 120 overall and the No. 11 outside linebacker. Chose Alabama over Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M.

Shawn Murphy

No. 43, ILB, 6-2, 215 pounds, freshman

The early enrollee was rated as a four-star linebacker by all major outlets, and the top-ranked inside linebacker by both Rivals.com and ESPN.com. The former had him as the No. 34 prospect in the nation, and the latter had him at No. 35. The 247Composite had him as the No. 5 inside backer and No. 57 recruit in the nation. Murphy was selected as the 2021 Butkus Award winner for high school. Signed with the Crimson Tide over Florida, LSU, Ohio State and Penn State.

Deontae Lawson

No. 32, 6'2" 225 pounds, redshirt freshman

Played in four games. Did not record any statistics.

Jaylen Moody

No. 42, 6'2" 225 pounds, redshirt senior

Was a regular contributor at linebacker and on special teams, playing in all 15 games last season. Totaled 11 tackles to go with his first career interception, against Miami in the season opener. Earned special teams player of the week recognition from coaching staff against Southern Miss and Ole Miss.

2020: Had 18 tackles, including half a tackle for loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a reserve and special-teams contributor.

2019: Had 10 tackles as a sophomore, and tied for second on the Crimson Tide's coverage units with five special-teams tackles.

2018: Despite being a late add for the Crimson Tide out of high school, played in 14 games, mostly on special teams.

Keanu Koht

No. 19, 6'4" 231 pounds, redshirt freshman

Did not get into a game during his first season.

Ian Jackson

No. 36, 6'1" 235 pounds, redshirt freshman

Did not get into a game during his first season.

Kendrick Blackshire

No. 40, 6'2" 233 pounds, sophomore

Earned a regular role on special teams and played in nine games. Was credited with three tackles on kickoff coverage.

This is the fifth in a position-by-position series on the Crimson Tide this spring.

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Tight Ends

Defensive Linemen

Published Apr 9, 2022

CHRISTOPHER WALSH

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of BamaCentral, which first published in 2018. He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004, and is the author of 26 books including Decade of Dominance, 100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Nick Saban vs. College Football, and Bama Dynasty: The Crimson Tide's Road to College Football Immortality. He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.