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Football is back in the air. Alabama is set to kick off its fall camp this week as it holds its first practice on Friday. Before the Crimson Tide returns to the field, BamaInsider will take a look at each of the position groups. We continue our series today by examining the linebacker positions.

Biggest question: How will Alabama handle the loss of Eyabi Anoma?

It appears Eyabi Anoma is no longer a part of Alabama's plans. After placing his name in the NCAA transfer portal on Sunday, the outside linebacker's name has been removed from the team's online roster.

Last week, BamaInsider learned that Anoma is not currently attending classes at Alabama. If Anoma is not enrolled in classes, he will not be eligible to participate in practice when the team opens fall camp this week. The last day to add classes at Alabama is Aug. 28, three days before the Crimson Tide's season opener against Duke. However, at this point, it appears as though Alabama has already parted ways with the former five-star recruit.

Anoma earned SEC All-Freshman honors last season, registering nine tackles, including two for a loss over 12 games. He was expected to step into a bigger role this year as Alabama figured to use him as a pass-rushing specialist. So who will the Crimson Tide turn to in his absence?

Fortunately for Alabama, it has plenty of depth at outside linebacker. Anfernee Jennings returns as the starting Jack linebacker, while Terrell Lewis should take on the Sam linebacker role after missing last season with a torn ACL. Alabama will also see the return of Christopher Allen, who returns after missing all of last season with an ACL injury.

One player who could directly impact from Anoma’s departure is true freshman Kevin Harris II, who joined the team as an enrollee in January. Harris, 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, will need to add more weight to play consistently at the college level but could contribute immediately as a pass-rusher in certain formations.
How we expect Alabama to line up

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Nuggets: Many consider Lee for lots of PT as he gains experience.
Back ups to McMillon and Moses: Benton, Kaho and Moody with Christian Harris as he gains some #'s.
Jennings then C.Allen; Lewis backed by K Harris and Parks.
Looking for King M to find a role and of course we all are awaiting the lights to come on for Ben.
Potential Surprise: Shane Lee finds a way to replace McMillon b4 season's end.

This post was edited on 8/2/19 at 3:09 pm

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Posted by Cobrasize

Birmingham

Member since Jun 2013

49682 posts

Posted on 8/1/19 at 10:05 pm to RollTide66

quote:
we all are awaiting the lights to come on for Ben.

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Posted by RollTide66

Atlanta

Member since Nov 2015

3005 posts

Posted on 8/1/19 at 10:22 pm to RollTide66

Alabama football – Embarrassment of riches or not – Running Backs – By Larry Burton

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This could easily be the most controversial article in the series of embarrassment of riches at Alabama. Many think the running back position is a pool of talent a little on the shallow side once you get past returning star Najee Harris and Brian Robinson. After all, Bama just lost two running backs to this year’s NFL draft and many would say they were the top two, so Alabama has to take a step back don’t they?

Some think it will be like 2015 when Derrick Henry was the big work horse and it wasn’t so much run by committee. They think Najee will carry the load with Robinson stepping in for a change of pace or a break.

But we here at Touchdown Alabama Magazine know better and we intend on convincing you that instead of a step back year, it’s simply another year of outstanding running backs all getting their opportunities proving it’s an embarrassment of riches once again this year as it was last season. We expect Saban to continue using three or four running backs in rotations with others getting occasional opportunities.

Last season, even with two NFL draft picks ahead of him, it was Najee Harris who led the team in yards per carry. So yes, they’re losing two great ones, but may not be losing the very best one. Harris is going to set opposing teams on fire this season, but you already know that, so we’ll move on.

Brian Robinson finished fourth on the team last season, usually in mop up duty to run the clock out. This means that his 4.32 yards a carry looked good, not great because everyone knew he was there to run the clock out and run so he was keyed on. In situations where he gets his chances to run on a play action, first down play, he’ll have much higher numbers. Overall, we look for Robinson to have a, sorry to put it this way, run away season.

Contined below...