Alabama confident it can keep up its pass rush with this linebacking trio

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt knows no one wants to hear excuses. When you lead the nation in tormenting opposing quarterbacks for two straight years, the list of sympathizers grows understandably thin.

That’s why you won’t catch Pruitt whining over the fact he lost 3/4 of the starting linebacking unit that helped the Crimson Tide to a nation’s best 54 sacks last season. Sure, the departures of Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson and Reuben Foster leave Alabama without a combined 23 sacks and 48 tackles for a loss from last year, but Pruitt isn’t really one to cry over spilled milk.

"In this profession, it happens every year and it happens everywhere,” Pruitt said Saturday during Alabama’s Media Day. “It really doesn't matter if they go to the NFL or if they go into the work force. You have to replace them. So it's something that we had to do the year before and has been done here for a while. It creates opportunities for other guys."

Of course, the other reason why the second-year defensive coordinator is shy to complain is that he doesn’t have to. Alabama might not return the same star-powered pass-rushers at linebacker as it has had in recent years, but that doesn’t mean the Tide won’t have plenty of ammunition to fire at opposing quarterbacks this season.

So far this offseason Alabama has rotated three primary players into its two starting outside linebacker positions, slotting Christian Miller Anfernee Jennings and Terrell Lewis into the SAM and JACK roles. While the trio has yet to record a career start at the college level, it appears to have the makings of a versatile weapon for the Tide’s defense this season.

“All three of us bring something different to the table,” Jennings said. “When one of us is lacking, another one is like ‘I got it.’ So, I think us in the outside linebacker room right now, we got a good chance for everybody to contribute, and I think everybody will contribute this year.”

Heading into his junior season, Miller returns as the Tide’s most experienced option outside. The once lanky linebacker has put on 35 pounds since joining the team in 2014, filling out his 6-foot-4 frame to a lean 240 pounds.

While Miller has already demonstrated an ability to get to the quarterback, recording two sacks last season, he said the added weight has allowed him to feel more comfortable in the running game as well. The most athletic of the bunch, the junior also has the versatility to drop back in coverage, making him a natural fit for the SAM or strongside linebacker position where he might be tasked with going up against opposing tight ends on occasion.

On the opposite side of the ball, Jennings and Hall figure to fit in more at the JACK or weakside linebacker role, using their added bulk to push past opposing offensive linemen and into the backfield. Although the sophomores have similar skills at the position, their games offer slight nuances that the Tide can use to its advantage.

Jennings, 6-foot-3, 262 pounds, is the biggest linebacker on Alabama’s roster and can be used as almost a fourth defensive end at times during first and second downs. Lewis, 6-foot-5, 254 pounds, presents a quicker, leaner option who can be used as a pass-rushing specialist on third downs and other obvious passing situations.

“He’s longer and taller and all that. He has longer arms and stuff like that,” Jennings said of Lewis. “I have shorter arms, so I have to be more physical. I take pride in stopping the run. I’m a physical dude, so I love that.”

The trio’s promise was only highlighted this spring as all three linebackers delivered highlight performances during Alabama’s A-Day game. Miller finished the scrimmage with four tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble, while Jennings provided three stops and a sack. Lewis failed to record a tackle but made his presence felt in the backfield, stepping in front of a dump-off pass from Tua Tagovailoa and returning it 65 yards for a touchdown.

The display went a long way toward dampening the concern surrounding how Alabama will regroup at the position. However, the Tide will have to wait a few more weeks to see if that dominance can once again translate into the regular season.

That’s a lot to ask, but then again this Alabama defense isn’t one to complain over a little challenge.

“Those guys like Ryan, Tim, those guys are great pass-rushers,” Jennings said. “I mean you can’t replace those guys, but we’re working every day to do our job and produce and keep contributing to the defense.”

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