Bama Central

Justin Jefferson Staying at Alabama for 2025 Season

The Crimson Tide linebacker is returning to Tuscaloosa with the help of a recently made NCAA rule.

Hunter De Siver

Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Justin Jefferson (15) dives for South Florida Bulls running back Ta'Ron Keith (9) as he runs the ball down the field during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William McLelland-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Justin Jefferson (15) dives for South Florida Bulls running back Ta'Ron Keith (9) as he runs the ball down the field during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William McLelland-Imagn Images / William McLelland-Imagn Images
In this story:

Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson announced via Instagram on Saturday that he is staying at Alabama for another season.

The senior linebacker had 51 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and two sacks during the regular season with two starts. In the ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan, Jefferson tallied nine tackles, including one for loss.

Nevertheless, his return has been somewhat expected as Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack opened up about the looming decision for Jefferson before the ReliaQuest Bowl.

"I think we're really optimistic about JJ coming back for next season," Wommack said. "It's something that he wants to do. So hopefully we'll have some confirmation on that sooner rather than later, but it's all looking like it's in the right direction right now.

Jefferson started his career at Pearl River Community College for two seasons before transferring to Alabama in 2023. He worked mainly on special teams last season, but has seen an increased role in 2024, especially once Lawson went out with injury. He took over the green dot communication on defense after Lawson's injury.

Recently made legal and NCAA rulings, mainly surrounding Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, allow players who played at the junior college level an extra year of eligibility. This would mean that Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson, who participated in Senior Day and was thought to be out of eligibility, could come back for another year with the Crimson Tide.

As written in his Instagram post, this legislation made his dream of playing another year in Tuscaloosa a reality.

Read More: 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Offseason Tracker: Coming and Going

No. 5 Alabama Men's Basketball 2025 SEC Preview

Published |Modified
Hunter De Siver
HUNTER DE SIVER

Hunter De Siver is a graduate from the University of Alabama, earning a degree in sports media. During his time in Tuscaloosa, Hunter distributed articles covering Alabama football, basketball, and baseball for WVUA 23 TV and discussed these topics on Tide 100.9 FM. Hunter also generated articles highlighting Crimson Tide products in the NFL and NBA for BamaCentral. Since graduation, he's been contributing a plethora of NFL and NBA stories for FanNation and is a staff writer at MizzouCentral, Cowbell Corner and is back at BamaCentral.

Home/Football