Alabama's starting outside linebackers last season combined for a staggering 35 tackles for loss.
The returning outside linebackers for the Crimson Tide combined for 5.5 lost-yardage stops, so it's little wonder why redshirt sophomore Anfernee Jennings is having to answer his share of questions this month about replacing the NFL-drafted duo of Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams.
"We had some great players in front of us, and it's hard to replace those guys," Jennings said in a recent news conference, "but we're working hard every day and taking the right steps."
Alabama practiced Monday afternoon after taking Sunday off, working out for two hours in full pads.
Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33). (Photo by Amelia B. Barton)Jennings and redshirt junior Christian Miller return the most experience at an outside linebacker position that also contains sophomore Terrell Lewis and with freshman Chris Allen as the wild card. Allen was the nation's No. 4 outside linebacker in the 2017 signing class, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings.
A 6-foot-3, 262-pounder from Dadeville, Ala., Jennings collected 19 tackles and two tackles for loss and is seeking to broaden his influence on and off the field.
"I'm trying to be more consistent, and I'm taking on more of a leadership role in our room since we lost guys like Ryan and Tim," he said. "They were always a listening ear, and they always had the right answer when I needed it. They had already gone through what I was going through."
Jennings had a career-best four tackles in the 10-0 blanking of LSU in Baton Rouge last November, and he had an 11-yard tackle for loss in December's win over Florida in the Southeastern Conference championship game. He wears a "Humble Over Hype" wristband and is not overly fond of the opinion that outside linebacker is a weak link of a Crimson Tide defense that is otherwise fairly well-stocked.
"At the end of the day, we're a team," he said. "I'm not really comfortable yet, but I did get some experience that I needed. I played in a couple of big games, but I got to watch Ryan and Tim for two years and learn from them."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.
WYNN BACK FOR GEORGIA
Georgia senior left tackle Isaiah Wynn returned to practice Monday after missing last week with what second-year coach Kirby Smart described only as an “illness.” The Bulldogs held their 13th preseason workout, practicing for two hours in shoulder pads and shorts.— David Paschall