Tag: Jihaad Campbell

Pre-Spring Position Preview: Breaking down the Alabama LBs

A closer look at the Alabama linebackers ahead of spring practice

Before we know it, new Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer will hit the practice field with his Crimson Tide players for the first time when spring practice gets underway in March.

With the retirement of the legendary Nick Saban, there have not been this many question marks surrounding the football program since 2007 when Saban took over.

Contrary to popular belief, Alabama still has one of the most talented rosters in the country and should be right in the thick of the college football playoff conversation.

Roll Tide Wire will preview each position group as the anticipation builds leading up to spring practice. Let’s take a look at the linebackers.

5 players who will play larger roles in Alabama’s Week 11 matchup against Kentucky

Take a look at five Alabama players who will play larger roles against Kentucky in Week 11

Alabama has had a handful of injuries this season. Therefore, several players have had to step up this season.

In Week 10, two Alabama starters — Deontae Lawson and Jaylen Key suffered injuries. Lawson suffered an ankle injury and Key suffered a quad injury. Both will be sidelined against Kentucky in Week 11.

With that said, multiple players will be expected to fill in for them. Also, several players are seeing increased roles that will likely see that trend continue as the season progresses.

Roll Tide Wire lists five players that will play larger roles in Alabama’s Week 10 matchup against Kentucky.

Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week

With 10 tackles and a scoop-and-score fumble recovery touchdown, Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell won the FWAA award.

The FWAA named Alabama‘s Jihaad Campbell the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Crimson Tide’s comeback victory over Tennessee.

The sophomore linebacker racked up 10 total tackles, his second-best mark of the season, and tallied his third tackle for loss of the season. He also made splash plays, including one fourth-down stop in the third quarter.

None of his earlier moments compared to his last, however, when he scooped up a fumble from Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton midway through the fourth quarter and raced all the way to the end zone to give Alabama a two-score lead. It ended up being the final score of the game.

The Crimson Tide defense shut out Tennessee in the second half after they began the third quarter trailing 20-7. Alabama remains undefeated in conference play.

For more Alabama coverage, go to Roll Tide Wire.

Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week

Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell was named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

When one man goes down, another one has to step up. That has been the saying that has surrounded the Alabama football program since Nick Saban took over in 2007.

On Saturday, sophomore linebacker Jihaad Campbell was named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week. The recognition comes as Campbell replaced senior linebacker Trezmen Marshall. Marshall suffered a rib injury against Arkansas in Week 7.

Campbell recorded 10 tackles and one tackle for loss. The New Jersey native recovered the fumble and returned it for 24 yards for a touchdown. That was one of the turning points in the game. It helped the Crimson Tide take a 34-20 lead which would ultimately prove to be the final score.

His performance is one of the strongest of his career. Campbell will continue to be a key piece on Alabama’s defense moving forward.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest surrounding the Alabama football program.

Five players who need their roles increased following the bye week

Here are five players who should see their roles increased following Alabama’s bye week

[autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide football team have reached their bye week following their incredible come-from-behind victory over the Tennessee Volunteers, 34-20.

With Alabama having the week off, it is time to reflect on what has happened so far this season and also what we can expect for the Tide down the stretch.

So far there have been a lot of players step up for Alabama and make plays that have helped the team achieve their 7-1 record. But there is always room for more players to increase their role and make an impact as Alabama races to the finish line.

Here are five players that should see their roles increased following Alabama’s bye week.

Alabama leads Mississippi State 31-10 at the half in Starkville

Alabama’s strong performance has guided the Tide to a 31-10 lead over Mississippi State at the half

After a near-disastrous start offensivily with bad snaps and a couple of sacks, the Alabama offensive line took over the contest to help propel the Crimson Tide to a 24-10 lead over the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the half.

[autotag]Jalen Milroe[/autotag] would get the scoring started for Alabama with a blazing 53-yard touchdown run and on the next possession the Crimson Tide defense would get their first score of the season thanks to a pick-six from outside linebacker Chris Braswell.

After trading field goals, Mississippi State would battle back with a touchdown to close the gap to 17-10.

Alabama would answer with an impressive 12-play 75-yard touchdown drive that was capped off with a [autotag]Jase McClellan[/autotag] two-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing possession, linebacker [autotag]Jihaad Campbell[/autotag] intercepted Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers which set up Milroe and the Alabama offense with a great opportunity to score again before the half.

Milroe and company would take advantage of the opportunity after the elusive quarterback scooted past Bulldog defenders for a 10-yard touchdown run to extend Alabama’s lead to 31-10.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Alabama Football: 5 names to watch for the remainder of fall camp

5 players Alabama football fans should watch for the remainder of fall camp!

In less than four weeks, [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama football team will take the field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium to take on Middle Tennessee State to begin its 2023 season. Now that fall camp is underway, we are starting to get a better sense of what this version of the Crimson Tide might look like.

With Alabama still in the early stages of fall camp, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at a handful of players who are making some noise and should be closely watched for the remainder of fall practice.

Let’s roll through the list!

Nick Saban ‘happy with the group’ he has at inside linebacker

Nick Saban ‘happy with the group’ he has at inside linebacker!

One of the more interesting position battles that are taking place this fall in Tuscaloosa is at inside linebacker. Both Henry To’oTo’o and Jaylen Moody are gone from last season, leaving defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and linebackers coach Robert Bala searching for the next great pair to lead the middle of the Alabama defense.

Following the Crimson Tide’s first practice of the fall, head coach Nick Saban took time to field some questions from the media. For obvious reasons, Saban was asked about the inside linebackers and Saban was quick to voice that he feels good about the group.

“I’m happy with the group. Deontae Lawson played really good football when he played last year. He was injured a lot of the time. He sat out the spring, got his knee worked on a little bit. He’s had a good summer. He’s got leadership. He’s got a good understanding of the defense.

“Jihaad Campbell has made really good progress. We’ve got lots of competition at the position. I’m pleased with the way these guys are progressing. They’ve made a tremendous amount of progress. We’ve had a lot of guys out in the spring that – both outside ‘backers, one inside ‘backer – so it gave guys a lot of opportunity to get a lot of reps there. So we’ve got those guys back, we’ve got a little bit of leadership and I like the experience that we have in the group.”

Saban mentioned two names when asked about the group. Obviously, Lawson is likely to be one of the starters at inside linebacker. The redshirt sophomore played a lot of snaps in 2022 and like Saban mentioned, when healthy, Lawson is a very good player.

The second name mentioned by Saban was second-year player Jihaad Campbell. Campbell spent most of his freshman season in 2022 learning the position after mostly being an edge rusher in high school. Campbell has all-world athleticism and if he has finally figured out the position, Alabama could have a dynamic inside linebacker duo in 2023.

Outside of Lawson and Campbell, the Crimson Tide has plenty of options. Georgia transfer Trezmen Marshall is an experienced and athletic linebacker and Justin Jefferson makes his way to Tuscaloosa from junior college and has elite closing speed for an inside linebacker.

Saban’s comments on the position are very telling. He likes what he sees and is confident in the group to make plays this fall.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

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Alabama football countdown to kickoff: 30 days

We are now just 30 days away from the start of Alabama football’s 2023 season!

The Alabama Crimson Tide will take the field for the 2023 college football season in 30 days, as Middle Tennessee State visits Bryant Denny Stadium on Sept. 2.

Here at Roll Tide Wire, we will be counting down the days until Nick Saban and his team take the field.

With 30 days remaining, we take a look at one of the best linebackers in Alabama football history, [autotag]Dont’a Hightower[/autotag].

Hightower roamed the field for the Alabama defense from 2008-11 before becoming a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

In his Tide career, Hightower would amass 234 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. Hightower announced his retirement from the NFL in March of 2023.

Sophomore linebacker [autotag]Jihaad Campbell[/autotag] currently wears No. 30 for the Crimson Tide and should make a run at one of the starting inside linebacker spots this fall.

Dont’a Hightower’s Photo Gallery

10 underclassmen that Alabama fans should know heading into fall practice

There are a handful of underclassmen that Alabama fans be unaware of. Roll Tide Wire breaks down 10 underclassmen that Alabama fans should know before fall practice begins next week.

The Alabama football team will begin fall practice on Aug. 3. After an 11-2 finish to the 2023 season, the Crimson Tide are looking to improve that record in 2024.

Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country in 2023. In 2022, the Crimson Tide finished with the No. 2 recruiting class in the country. Needless to say, Alabama has a number of talented underclassmen that can contribute in 2023.

Several true freshmen and sophomores are poised to have breakout seasons for the Crimson Tide. Roll Tide Wire breaks down 10 underclassmen that Alabama fans should be aware of as fall practice begins.