Things kick-started pretty well for Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama with Nick Saban’s roster making it big in the NFL landscape. However, the HC had to keep the celebration aside for some time now. All thanks to Crimson Tide LB Justin Jefferson for bringing the program back to the ground. The player got ejected during the Crimson Tide’s big face-off against USF on September 7, Saturday night. How challenging it might sound for the player, he is one lucky man to have Alabama’s defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack’s back. Not just the DC, now DeBoer couldn’t pass up the chance to add to the player hype parade. After all, the spirits are high for the HC after the power-packed performance from the trio.

There are some victories that leave a bitter aftertaste. September 7 had been one such occasion when even though DeBoer’s tribe won over USF in a 42-16 heroic feat, it came up with a piece of bad news. Their LB Justin Jefferson has been suspended and now will not be allowed to be a part of Alabama’s trip to Camp Randall next week against Wisconsin. And what are DeBoer’s views about the sudden roadblock? As informed by Tony Tsoukalas, the managing editor of Tide Illustrated, the HC stated, “Not having him out there in the first half will be tougher. He’s an important part of some packages.”

In this case, even before DeBoer, it was Wommack who broke the silence surrounding the player. For the Alabama DC, it’s just Jefferson’s talents that matter as he came up with a green pass motivating the player with “you’ve just got to keep playing” boost. But what turned September 7 an ominous day for the player? 

The LB was probably playing his best game in Alabama when got ejected.  It came off as the targeting foul in the fourth quarter when he came up tackling USF QB Byrum Brown and dipped his head which according to the rulebook counts as a penalty. Now that DeBoer already said what he had to say about Jefferson, he can now focus on the prodigious trio from Saturday night.  

Crimson Tide players gifted Kalen DeBoer a promising night

Like Jefferson, DeBoer is aware of the fact that there were issues that needed to get cleaned up, but not every game will come up with something as gigantic as a 42-16 victory. However, the credit goes to three-star players of the evening. 17-year-old Ryan Williams’ hype train rolled on to crush over USF. He was called upon midway and his catch drained all the hopes of the rivals. 

Then came a late substitution that brought in dark clouds of skepticism. But the decision to insert tackle Elijah Pritchett paid off well as on his six snaps, Crimson Tide scored on three of them. From now on, things will just keep on getting better for the tackle now that DeBoer’s left tackle will be returning soon giving him the ultimate support on the gridiron. 

Wait, if you think that it has been all smooth ride for Alabama, then you are mistaken. There came a time when their offense had to hit the pause button. But there entered Tim Keenan III and the whole defensive front who created rage across the field finishing with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles. Kalen DeBoer is counting the days until Jefferson is back, but in the meantime, he’s soaking in Alabama’s wins.